Copper-catalyzed c-h bond arylation

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a one-step method for efficiently converting carbon-hydrogen bonds into carbon-carbon bonds using a combination of aryl halides, a substrate, and a copper salt as catalyst. This method allows faster introduction of complex molecular entities, a process that would otherwise require many more steps. This invention is particularly relevant for the organic synthesis of complex molecules such as, but not limited to, pharmacophores and explosives.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claim priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/971,466 filed Sep. 11, 2007.

GOVERNMENTAL SPONSORSHIP

The U.S. Government has a paid-up license in this invention and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owners to license others on reasonable terms as provided for by the terms of Contract No. 1R01GM077635-01A1 awarded by the National Health Institute—National Institute of General Medicine Sciences.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENTIAL LISTING

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a new method for the formation of carbon-carbon bonds.

More specifically, the invention relates to a one-step method for converting a carbon-hydrogen bond into carbon-carbon bond by contacting an aryl halide, a substrate, and a copper (I) salt as a catalyst.

2. Description of the Related Art

Because many pharmaceuticals contain heterocycle-aryl linkages, the arylation of heterocycles has received significant attention in the recent years. The shortest and most efficient route to synthesize these compounds involves the direct functionalization ofheterocycle C—H bonds. So far, most efforts in cross-coupling methodologies consist in replacing aryl iodides with cheaper aryl chlorides. However, for realistic catalyst loadings it is more cost-efficient to replace the expensive transition metal catalyst, usually palladium or rhodium, with a cheaper one. Prior art teaches the use of copper catalysts in amination reactions—that is the formation of carbon-nitrogen bonds—and for Stille-type or Suzuki-type couplings. The formation of carbon-carbon bonds by the arylation of b-dicarbonyl compounds is known; however, the formation of carbon-carbon bond using copper-catalyzed direct heterocycle or electron-poor arene C—H arylation reactions has not been developed.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a general method for the copper-catalyzed C—H bond arylation by aryl halides including electron-rich five-membered heterocycles, electron-deficient heterocycles, electron-poor arene is also disclosed that shortens organic synthetic pathways.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention also provides a method for a one-step arylation of C—H bonds, where the method includes contacting a substrate selected from the group consisting of electron-rich heterocyclic substrates, electron-poor heterocyclic substrates, electron-poor aromatic substrates, and mixtures or combinations thereof and an aryl halide in the presence of a copper catalyst.

The present invention also provides a method for a one-step arylation of C—H bonds, where the method includes contacting an electron-rich heterocyclic substrate, an aryl halide, and a copper catalyst.

The present invention also provides a method for a one-step arylation of C—H bonds, where the method includes contacting an electron-poor heterocyclic substrate, electron-poor aromatic compounds, where the method includes contacting an aryl halide, a substrate, and a copper salt as a catalyst.

The present invention also provides a method for a one-step arylation of C—H bonds, where the method contacting includes a electron-poor aromatic substrate, an aryl halide, and a copper catalyst.

The present invention also provides a method for a one-step dimerization of heterocycles or electron-poor arenes, where the method includes contacting a substrate selected from the group consisting of electron-rich heterocyclic substrates, electron-poor heterocyclic substrates, electron-poor aromatic substrates, and mixtures or combinations thereof in the presence of a copper catalyst and stoichiometric oxygen or air reoxidant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts an ORTEP view of 4-methoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenylcopper phenanthroline complex 2: selected interatomic distances (Å) and angles (deg): Cu—C(13)=1.932(2), Cu—N(1)=2.0720(18), Cu—N(2)=2.0949(19), Cu—Cu=2.5770(6), C(13)-Cu—N(1)=135.68(9), C(13)-Cu—N(2)=132.69(8).

FIG. 2 depicts the molecular structure of 2-phenylbenzoxazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2-phenylbenzoxazole.

FIG. 3 depicts the molecular structure of 2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)benzoxazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)benzoxazole.

FIG. 4 depicts the molecular structure of 2-(4-fluorophenyl)benzoxazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2-(4-fluorophenyl)benzoxazole.

FIG. 5 depicts the molecular structure of 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzoxazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzoxazole.

FIG. 6 depicts the molecular structure of 2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)benzoxazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)benzoxazole.

FIG. 7 depicts the molecular structure of 2-o-tolylbenzoxazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2-o-tolylbenzoxazole.

FIG. 8 depicts the molecular structure of 2-mesitylbenzoxazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2-mesitylbenzoxazole.

FIG. 9 depicts the molecular structure of 2-(1-naphthyl)benzoxazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2-(1-naphthyl)benzoxazole.

FIG. 10 depicts the molecular structure of 2-(2-pyridyl)benzoxazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2-(2-pyridyl)benzoxazole.

FIG. 11 depicts the molecular structure of 2-phenyloxazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2-phenyloxazole.

FIG. 12 depicts the molecular structure of 2-phenylthiazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2-phenylthiazole

FIG. 13 depicts the molecular structure of 2,5-diphenylthiazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2,5-diphenylthiazole.

FIG. 14 depicts the molecular structure of 4,5-dimethyl-2-phenylthiazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 4,5-dimethyl-2-phenylthiazole.

FIG. 15 depicts the molecular structure of 2-phenylbenzothiazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2-phenylbenzothiazole.

FIG. 16 depicts the molecular structure of 1-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 1-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole.

FIG. 17 depicts the molecular structure of 1-methyl-2-phenylbenzimidazole and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 1-methyl-2-phenylbenzimidazole.

FIG. 18 depicts the molecular structure of 1,3,7-trimethyl-8-phenyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H, 7H)-dione and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 1,3,7-trimethyl-8-phenyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H, 7H)-dione.

FIG. 19 depicts the molecular structure of 2,6-diphenylpyridine oxide and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2,6-diphenylpyridine oxide.

FIG. 20 depicts the molecular structure of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl.

FIG. 21 depicts the molecular structure of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-2′-methylbiphenyl and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-2′-methylbiphenyl.

FIG. 22 depicts the molecular structure of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-2′,4′,6″-trimethylbiphenyl and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-2′,4′,6′-trimethylbiphenyl.

FIG. 23 depicts the molecular structure of 2,3,4,4′,5,6-hexafluorobiphenyl and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2,3,4,4′,5,6-hexafluorobiphenyl.

FIG. 24 depicts the molecular structure of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl.

FIG. 25 depicts the molecular structure of ethyl 2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-pentafluorobiphenyl-4-carboxylate and ¹H NMR Spectrum of ethyl 2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-pentafluorobiphenyl-4-carboxylate.

FIG. 26 depicts the molecular structure of 2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-pentafluorobiphenyl-4-carbonitrile and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-pentafluorobiphenyl-4-carbonitrile.

FIG. 27 depicts the molecular structure of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-methoxybiphenyl and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-methoxybiphenyl.

FIG. 28 depicts the molecular structure of 1-(perfluorophenyl)naphthalene and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 1-(perfluorophenyl)naphthalene.

FIG. 29 depicts the molecular structure of 2-(perfluorophenyl)naphthalene and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2-(perfluorophenyl)naphthalene.

FIG. 30 depicts the molecular structure of 2-(perfluorophenyl)pyridine and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2-(perfluorophenyl)pyridine.

FIG. 31 depicts the molecular structure of 3-(perfluorophenyl)pyridine and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 3-(perfluorophenyl)pyridine.

FIG. 32 depicts the molecular structure of 2-(perfluorophenyl)thiophene and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2-(perfluorophenyl)thiophene.

FIG. 33 molecular structure of (E)-1,2,3,4,5-pentafluoro-6-styrylbenzene and ¹H NMR Spectrum of (E)-1,2,3,4,5-pentafluoro-6-styrylbenzene.

FIG. 34 depicts the molecular structure of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl.

FIG. 35 depicts the molecular structure of 1,4-di-(p-tolyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 1,4-di-(p-tolyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene

FIG. 36 depicts the molecular structure of 2,3,4,6-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2,3,4,6-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl.

FIG. 37 depicts the molecular structure of 1,3-di-(p-tolyl)-2,4,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 1,3-di-(p-tolyl)-2,4,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene.

FIG. 38 depicts the molecular structure of 2,3,4,5-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2,3,4,5-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl.

FIG. 39 depicts the molecular structure of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-p-tolylpyridine and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-p-tolylpyridine.

FIG. 40 depicts the molecular structure of 2,4,6-trifluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2,4,6-trifluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl.

FIG. 41 depicts the molecular structure of 2,5-difluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2,5-difluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl.

FIG. 42 depicts the molecular structure of 2,6-difluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 2,6-difluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl.

FIG. 43 depicts the molecular structure of 3-fluoro-2-p-tolylpyridine and ¹H NMR Spectrum of 3-fluoro-2-p-tolylpyridine.

FIG. 44 depicts the molecule structure of pentafluorophenylcopper-phenanthroline complex 1 and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 45 depicts the molecule structure of 4-methoxytetrafluorophenylcopper-phenanthroline complex 2 and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 46 depicts the molecule structure of 4,5-dimethyl-2-p-tolylthiazole and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 47 depicts the molecule structure of 4,5-dimethyl-2-m-tolylthiazole and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 48 depicts the molecule structure of 2-(pyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazole and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 49 depicts the molecule structure of 1,3,7-trimethyl-8-phenyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H, 7H)-dione and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 50 depicts the molecule structure of 1-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 51 depicts the molecule structure of 1-methyl-2-phenylimidazole and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 52 depicts the molecule structure of 3-chloro-2,5-diphenylthiophene and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 53 depicts the molecule structure of 2,5-diphenylthiophene and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 54 depicts the molecule structure of 1,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazole and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 55 depicts the molecule structure of 2-phenylbenzo[b]thiophene and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 56 depicts the molecule structure of 2-phenylbenzofuran and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 57 depicts the molecule structure of 2-chloro-5-o-tolylthiophene and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 58 depicts the molecule structure of 2-chloro-5-m-tolylthiophene and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 59 depicts the molecule structure of 2-phenylpyridine 1-oxide and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 60 depicts the molecule structure of 2,2′-bipyridine 1-oxide and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 61 depicts the molecule structure of 2-methyl-6-phenylpyridine 1-oxide and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 62 depicts the molecule structure of 2-phenyl-6-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)pyridine 1-oxide and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 63 depicts the molecule structure of 2-(naphthalen-1-yl)-6-phenylpyridine 1-oxide and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 64 depicts the molecule structure of 4-phenylpyridazine and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 65 depicts the molecule structure of 5-phenylpyrimidin and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 66 depicts the molecule structure of 1,3-dipentafluorophenylbenzene and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 67 depicts the molecule structure of 1,4-dipentafluorophenylbenzene and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 68 depicts the molecule structure of 2-(pentafluorophenyl)quinoline and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 69 depicts the molecule structure of 2-(pentafluorophenyl)pyridine and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 70 depicts the molecule structure of 1,2,3,4,5-pentafluoro-6-(1-phenylvinyl)benzene and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 71 depicts the molecule structure of 2′-(but-3-enyloxy)-2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobiphenyl and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 72 depicts the molecule structure of phenyl(2′,3′,5′,6′-tetrafluorobiphenyl-4-yl)methanone and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 73 depicts the molecule structure of 2,3,4,6-tetrafluoro-4′-phenylbiphenyl and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 74 depicts the molecule structure of 1-(cyclohexylidenemethyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-methylbenzene and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 75 depicts the molecule structure of 2,5-difluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 76 depicts the molecule structure of 2,4-difluoro-3-(pyridin-2-yl)benzophenone and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 77 depicts the molecule structure of 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorobiphenyl and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 78 depicts the molecule structure of 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorobiphenyl and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 79 depicts the molecule structure of 2,6-dichlorobiphenyl and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 80 depicts the molecule structure of 3-nitro-2-(pyridin-2-yl)benzonitrile and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 81 depicts the molecule structure of 2-(2,6-dinitrophenyl)pyridine and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a method for the direct formation of carbon-carbon bonds in electron-rich and electron-poor heterocycles, as well as electron-poor arenes using a combination of an aryl halide, a substrate, and a copper salt as catalyst. The present invention is particularly relevant for the organic synthesis of complex molecules such as, but not limited to, pharmacophores and explosives. The methods of this invention are generally carried out at atmospheric pressure; however, the reaction can be performed at reduced pressure or at an elevated pressure up to many atmospheres. The methods of this invention are generally carried out at an elevated temperature. In certain embodiments, the temperature is between about 20° C. and about 200° C. In other embodiments, the temperature is between about 80° C. and about 150° C. In other embodiments, the temperature is between about 90° C. and about 140° C.

The present invention broadly relates to a method for the direct conversion of C—H bonds to carbon-carbon bonds comprising the step of contacting a substrate and an aryl halide in the presence of a catalyst including a copper(I) salt, where the substrate is selected from the group consisting of electron-rich heterocyclic substrates, electron-poor heterocyclic substrates, electronic-poor aromatic substrates, and mixtures or combinations thereof. The catalyst can further include a ligand. The ligand can comprise a nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen ligand or mixtures or combinations thereof. The ligand can be selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, bipyridine and its derivatives, phenanthroline and its derivatives, cyclohexanediamine and its derivatives, ethylenediamine and its derivatives, and mixtures or combinations thereof, as well as other nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur containing ligands.

The present invention also broadly relates to a method for the direct conversion of C—H bonds to carbon-carbon bonds comprising the step of contacting a substrate and an aryl halide in the presence of a catalyst including a copper(I) salt, where the substrate comprises an electron-rich heterocyclic substrate or a plurality of electron-rich heterocyclic substrates. The catalyst can further includes a ligand. The ligand can comprise a nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen ligand or mixtures or combinations thereof. The ligand can be selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, bipyridine and its derivatives, phenanthroline and its derivatives, cyclohexanediamine and its derivatives, ethylenediamine and its derivatives, and mixtures or combinations thereof, as well as other nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur containing ligands.

The present invention also broadly relates to a method for the direct conversion of C—H bonds to carbon-carbon bonds comprising the step of contacting a substrate and an aryl halide in the presence of a catalyst including a copper(I) salt, where the substrate comprises an electron-poor heterocyclic substrate or a plurality of electron-poor heterocyclic substrates. The catalyst can further includes a ligand. The ligand can comprise a nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen ligand or mixtures or combinations thereof. The ligand can be selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, bipyridine and its derivatives, phenanthroline and its derivatives, cyclohexanediamine and its derivatives, ethylenediamine and its derivatives, and mixtures or combinations thereof, as well as other nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur containing ligands.

The present invention also broadly relates method for the direct conversion of C—H bonds to carbon-carbon bonds comprising the step of contacting a substrate and an aryl halide in the presence of a catalyst including a copper(I) salt, where the substrate comprises a electron-poor aromatic substrate or a plurality of electron-poor aromatic substrates. The catalyst can further includes a ligand. The ligand can comprise a nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen ligand or mixtures or combinations thereof. The ligand can be selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, bipyridine and its derivatives, phenanthroline and its derivatives, cyclohexanediamine and its derivatives, ethylenediamine and its derivatives, and mixtures or combinations thereof, as well as other nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur containing ligands.

The present invention also broadly relates method for dimerizing electron-poor or electron-deficient arenes comprising the step of contacting a substrate selected from the group consisting of electron-rich heterocyclic substrates, electron-poor heterocyclic substrates, electron-poor aromatic substrates, and mixtures or combinations thereof in the presence of a copper catalyst and stoichiometric oxygen or air reoxidant. The catalyst can further includes a ligand. The ligand can comprise a nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen ligand or mixtures or combinations thereof. The ligand can be selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, bipyridine and its derivatives, phenanthroline and its derivatives, cyclohexanediamine and its derivatives, ethylenediamine and its derivatives, and mixtures or combinations thereof, as well as other nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur containing ligands.

Exemplary example of electron-poor or electron-deficient arenes include, without limitation, halogenated arenes such as fluorinated arenes, perfluorinated arenes, chlorinated arenes, perchlorinated arenes, fluorinated/chlorinated arenes, or mixtures or combinations thereof, nitrile substituted arenes, nitrile and halogen substituted arenes, nitro substituted arenes, nitro and nitrile substituted arenes, nitro, nitrile and halogen substituted arenes, arenes bearing halogenated substitutents such as halogenated alkyl groups, e.g., fluorinated alkyl groups, perfluoroalkyl group, chlorinated alkyl groups, perchloroalkyl group, fluorinated/chlorinated alkyl groups, any other type of electron-poor or electron-deficient arenes or mixtures or combinations thereof.

In addition to monomeric substrates, the substrates can be part of a polymer, where the resulting polymer have modified chemical and/or physical properties.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a general procedure for the phenylation of benzoxazole using copper iodide as catalyst, where a phenyl group is introduced into an electron-rich heterocycle:

Reactions are performed in 1-dram vials with polyvinyl lined caps. Flash chromatography is performed on 60 Å silica gel (Sorbent Technologies). Purification by preparative HPLC is performed on a Shimadzu Prominence LC (LC-20AB) equipped with a SPD-20A UV-Vis detector and a Varian Dynamax (250 mm×21.4 mm) column. GC-MS analyses are performed on a Shimadzu GCMS-QP5000 chromatograph equipped with a Restek column (Rtx-XLB, 30 m×0.25 mm I.D.). The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra are recorded on a GE QE-300 spectrometer using residual solvent peak as a reference. Melting points are measured on a Mel-Temp apparatus and are uncorrected. Elemental analyses are performed by Atlantic Microlab Inc. of Norcross, Ga. IR spectra are obtained using ThermoNicolet Avatar 370 FT-IR instrument.

The following starting materials are obtained from commercial sources and are used without further purification: 1-fluoro-4-iodobenzene, 4-iodobenzotrifluoride and iodobenzene benzoxazole, benzothiazole, 4,5-dimethylthiazole, 5-iodo-m-xylene, copper(I) iodide, DMF, 1-iodonapthalene, oxazole, thiazole, potassium t-butoxide, 1-methylbenzimidazole, 4-iodoanisole, 2-iodopyridine, powdered lithium t-butoxide, 2-iodotoluene, caffeine, 1-methyl-1,2,4-triazole, 2-iodo-1,3,5-trimethylbenzene The 2-phenylpyridine oxide is prepared from 2-phenylpyridine.

A general method for the arylation of benzoxazole is presented here. Outside the glovebox a 1-dram vial equipped with a magnetic stir bar is charged with heterocycle (1.0 mmol), iodoarene (3.0 equiv) and DMF (1 mL). The vial is flushed with argon, capped and placed inside a glovebox. To this mixture is added CuI (10 mol %) and t-BuOLi (2.0 equiv). The sealed vial is taken out of the glovebox, stirred at room temperature for 5 min and placed in a preheated oil bath (140° C.) for 10 minutes. The reaction mixture is allowed to cool to room temperature and diluted with ethyl acetate (50 mL). The resulting solution is washed with brine (3×15 mL), dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, and concentrated under vacuum to a volume of about 2 mL. The mixture containing the product is subjected to flash chromatography on silica gel (hexanes followed by appropriate solvent to elute the products). After concentrating the fractions containing the product, the residue is dried under reduced pressure to yield pure arylation product. Table I tabulates a list of phenylated benzoxazole products prepared using Cu(I)I as the catalyst studying the effect of base and aryl halide on reaction yield.

TABLE I Phenylation of Benzoxazole^(a) Using Copper Iodide as Catalyst: Effect of the Base and Aryl Halide on the Reaction Yield

Entry Base PhX Yield % 1 KOtBu PhF or PhOTs No Arylation 2^(b) KOtBu PhCl 40 3 KOtBu PhBr 51 4 KOtBu PhI 61 5 LiOtBu Phd, PhBr or PhOTs No Arylation 6 LiOtBu PhI 93 ^(a)Substrate is benzoxazole (1 equiv.), aryl halide (3 equiv.), base (2 equiv.) ^(b)PhCl (4 equiv.), base (3 equiv.) OTs—Tosylate Yields are isolated yields

Table II tabulates a list of phenylated benzoxazole products prepared using Cu(I)I as the catalyst studying the effect of aryl iodides on reaction yield.

TABLE II Arylation of Benzoxazole Using Copper Iodide as Catalyst Effect of Aryl Iodides^(a) Yield Entry Aryl Product % 1 4-CF₃C₆H₄I

91 2 4-FC₆H₄I

90 3 4-OMeC₆H₄I

80 4 3,5-Me₂C₆H₃I

85 5 2-MeC₆H₄I

91 6 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂I

55 7 1-Iodonaphthalene

90 8 2-Iodopyridine

89 ^(a)Substrate (1 equiv.), aryl iodide (3 equiv.), base (2 equiv.). Yields are isolated yields

Table III tabulates a list of phenylated benzoxazole products prepared using Cu(I)I as the catalyst studying the effect of heterocyclic compounds on reaction yield.

TABLE III Arylation of Benzoxazole Using Copper Iodide as Catalyst Effect of Heterocyclic Compounds Yield Entry Aryl Product % 1^(b)

59 2^(c)

59 3

84 4

82 5^(d)

57 6^(c)

89 7^(d)

78 8

70 ^(a)Substrate (1 equiv.), iodobenzene (3 equiv.), base (2 equiv.). Yields are isolated yields. ^(b)2,5-Diphenyloxazole also isolated (7%) ^(c)2-Phenylthiazole also isolated (37%). ^(d)KOtBu base. ^(e)LiOtBu/KOtBu base (1:1).

A general method for copper-catalyzed arylation of sp² C—H bonds with pKa's below 35 has been developed. The method employs aryl halide as the coupling partner, lithium alkoxide or K₃PO₄ base, and DMF, DMPU, or mixed DMF/xylenes solvent. A variety of electron-rich and electron-poor heterocycles such as azoles, caffeine, thiophenes, benzofuran, pyridine oxides, pyridazine, and pyrimidine can be arylated. Furthermore, electron-poor arenes possessing at least two electron-withdrawing groups on benzene ring can also be arylated.

Introduction

Compounds containing polyaryl moieties are common among natural products, pharmaceuticals, and dyes. As a consequence, regioselective formation of aryl-aryl bonds has attracted substantial interest over the last century.¹ The copper-promoted biaryl synthesis was pioneered by Ullmann more than a hundred years ago.² Until the development of Stille, Suzuki, and Kumada reactions³ in 1970's copper was the only metal widely used for the formation of aryl-aryl bonds. Recently, copper-catalyzed crosscoupling reactions are undergoing resurgence. Efficient methods for carbon-carbon,⁴ carbon-nitrogen,⁵ and carbon-oxygen⁶ bond formation have been demonstrated by using copper complexes. However, copper appears to be underutilized as a catalyst for C—H bond functionalization even though it was the first transition metal shown to promote carbon-hydrogen bond arylation.⁷ In the last few years palladium-, rhodium-, and ruthenium-catalyzed sp² C—H bond arylation has undergone explosive growth.⁸ In contrast, only scattered examples of copper-promoted carbon-hydrogen bond arylation have been described with most reports dating back to 1960's and 1970's.⁹

Majority of the palladium-, rhodium-, or ruthenium-catalyzed C—H bond functionalization examples involve regioselective arylation of directing-group-containing arenes (Scheme 1A) or electron-rich heterocycles. Several recent reports describe functionalization of arenes possessing no conventional directing groups.¹⁰ In the latter case the regioselectivity issues are often unsolved and sometimes only symmetrical arenes can be employed as the C—H coupling component due to the possibility of regioisomer formation (Scheme 1B). Perhaps the only general exception is found in recent elegant work by Fagnou who showed that fluorinated arenes can be regioselectively arylated by aryl halides under palladium catalysis.¹¹ The regioselectivity is imparted by the acidification of the C—H bonds by ortho-fluorine substituents (Scheme 1A, DG=F). Thus, two issues that need to be solved are apparent. First, regioselectivity of arylation is often problematic unless the coupling C—H component contains a directing group. Second, expensive transition metals such as palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium are routinely employed as arylation catalysts. Cheap copper and iron complexes are only rarely used in non-carbene C—H bond functionalization chemistry.¹²

We have recently disclosed a method for copper-catalyzed arylation of C—H bonds in electron-poor and electron-rich heterocycles as well as polyfluorobenzenes.¹³ The reactions proceed by initial deprotonation of a relatively acidic sp² C—H bond by an alkali metal base (or tBuOCu) followed by transmetallation and coupling with an aryl or vinyl halide (Scheme 2). Even 1,4-difluorobenzene derivatives can be arylated, although the efficiency is low, presumably due to insufficient acidity. If pKa of the C—H bond is the major factor determining the arylation efficiency, copper-catalyzed cross-coupling method should be very general.

We report here a general method for copper-catalyzed, highly regioselective arylation and alkenylation of electron-rich and electron-poor heterocycles as well as benzenes possessing at least two electronwithdrawing groups. Mechanistic investigations of the arylation process are also described.

Results Arylation of Electron-Rich Heterocycles

Our initial attempts were directed towards developing optimized conditions for electron-rich heterocycle arylation. We have recently reported a method for copper-catalyzed heterocycle arylation by aryl iodides.^(13a) The best results were obtained by employing lithium t-butoxide base and relatively acidic heterocycle substrates such as oxazoles and thiazoles. For less acidic imidazole and 1,2,4-triazole derivatives a stronger tBuOK base is required and the reaction proceeds by a benzyne-type mechanism.¹⁴ Regioisomer mixtures were formed if substituted aryl halides were used in combination with KOtBu base (Scheme 3). Additional issues that had to be considered are as follows. Formation of t-butyl aryl ether by the reaction of t-butoxide bases with aryl iodide was observed, resulting in decreased conversion to the arylation products. Copper catalyst was found to be relatively unstable at the temperature required for the arylation and thus only fast reactions were successful.

We reasoned that employing a phenanthroline ligand as described by Buchwald and coworkers 6a should allow for a more efficient heterocycle arylation by stabilizing the copper catalyst and facilitating the halide displacement step. Replacing tBuOK with a weaker lithium alkoxide or K₃PO₄ base should shut down the benzyne mechanism thus ensuring arylation regioselectivity. For less reactive substrates employing hindered Et₃COLi base instead of tBuOLi should be beneficial by slowing the nucleophilic substitution of aryl iodide while not influencing the arylation rate. We were pleased to discover that addition of phenanthroline ligand allows us to use lithium t-butoxide as a base for less acidic heterocycle arylation avoiding the problems associated with the benzyne mechanism. Additionally, the modified reaction conditions allow for the arylation of heterocycles that were not reactive under our previous conditions (Table IV). It is possible to employ K₃PO₄ base in the arylation of the most acidic heterocycles such as benzothiazole (Entry 1). Caffeine and N-methyl-1,2,4-triazole can be arylated by using tBuOLi base (Entries 2 and 3). Previously, tBuOK was required for the arylation of those substrates.^(13a) For the least acidic heterocycles hindered Et₃COLi base is required for optimal results. Arylation of N-methylimidazole (Entry 4), thiophenes (Entries 5, 6, 10, and 11), N-phenylpyrazole (Entry 7), benzofuran and benzothiophene (Entries 8 and 9) can be accomplished in good yields. Reaction of 2-chlorothiophene with 2-iodotoluene afforded only the o-tolylated heterocycle (Entry 10). If the benzyne mechanism would be operative, either isomer mixture or m-isomer would be formed. Arylation of 2-chlorothiophene with 3-iodotoluene afforded only the m-tolylated isomer (Entry 11) in contrast with the previous results obtained by employing KOtBu base (Scheme 3). Furans and N-substituted indoles were found to be unreactive under any conditions tried while heterocycles possessing acidic N—H bonds were arylated on the nitrogen as reported by Buchwald.^(5e) The following DMSO pKa's of heterocycle C—H bonds have been reported: N-alkylindoles, about 37; furan, 35; N-methylimidazole, 33.¹⁵ It can be concluded that copper-catalyzed electron-rich heterocycle arylation is successful for compounds possessing pKa's below 35.

TABLE IV Electron-rich Heterocycle Arylation^(a)

Entry Heterocycle Arylhalide/base Product Yield %  1

89  2

C₆H₅I/tBuOLi

85  3

C₆H₅I/tBuOLi

88  4

C₆H₅I/tEt₃COLi

82  5

C₆H₅I/tEt₃COLi

87  6

C₆H₅I/tEt₃COLi

85  7

C₆H₅I/tEt₃COLi

52  8

C₆H₅I/tEt₃COLi

86  9

C₆H₅I/tEt₃COLi

60 10

89 11

91 ^(a)Copper (I) iodide (0.1 mmol), phenanthroline (0.1 mmol), aryl halide (1-3 mmol), heterocycle (1-2 mmol), base (1.7-2 mmol), DMF or DMPU (0.5-0.6 mL). Yields are isolated yields.

Arylation of Electron-Poor Heterocycles

We have previously reported one example of coppercatalyzed electron-poor heterocycle arylation.^(13a) If the mechanistic considerations presented in Scheme 2 are correct, arylation of electron-poor heterocycles with C—H bond DMSO pKa's below 35 should be feasible. Gratifyingly, conditions developed for electron-rich heterocycle arylation worked well also in this case (Table V). While most pyridines are not reactive, more acidic pyridine oxides can be arylated by using either tBuOLi or K₃PO₄ base (Entries 1-5). 2-Iodopyridine is incompatible with alkoxides due to the formation of 2-t-butoxypyridine under the reaction conditions and K₃PO₄ base has to be used (Entry 2). 2-Methylpyridine oxide is also reactive, but the yield is diminished compared to other substrates, presumably due to acidic benzylic protons decreasing effective concentration of the arylcopper intermediate. 2-Phenylpyridine oxide is efficiently arylated by substituted aryl iodides and the products are obtained in excellent yield (Entries 4 and 5). More interestingly, pyridazine can be arylated in a good yield (Entry 6). A four-step synthesis of 4-phenylpyridazine has been reported.¹⁶ In contrast, direct arylation methodology allows to synthesize this compound in a single step from commercially available starting materials. Pyrimidine is arylated in a low yield, presumably due to insufficient acidity (pKa=37;¹⁵ Entry 7). Cyanidine and 1,2,3-triazine decompose under the reaction conditions.

TABLE V Electron-poor Heterocycle Arylation^(a)

Entry Heterocycle Arylhalide/Base Product Yield % 1

C₆H₅I/tBuOLi

58 2

41 3

C₆H₅I/tBuOLi

43 4

80 5

91 6

C₆H₅I/tEt₃COLi

60 7

C₆H₅I/tEt₃COLi

31 ^(a)Copper (I) iodide (0.1 mmol), phenanthroline (0.1 mmol), aryl halide (1-2 mmol), heterocycle (1-2 mmol), base (1.7-2 mmol), DMF or DMPU solvent (0.5-0.6 mL). Yields are isolated yields. ^(b)2,6-Diphenylpyrdine oxide also isolated (20%).

Arylation of Electron-Poor Benzenes

We have recently disclosed preliminary results showing that polyfluorobenzene derivatives can be arylated and alkenylated under copper catalysis.^(13b) Both aryl iodide and bromide reagents can be employed. The reactivity parallels the acidity of C—H bonds, with the most acidic C—H bonds, those flanked by two C—F bonds, arylated most efficiently. The arylation of C—H bonds that are not flanked by two C—F bonds was inefficient and only 10% yield was obtained in the reaction of 4-iodotoluene with 1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobenzene. Since introduction of electron-withdrawing substituents in aromatic ring is expected to decrease the pKa of C—H bonds, we reasoned that arylation of a variety of other electron-deficient arenes should be possible. The improved conditions for arylation of electron-rich heterocycles were successfully applied to the arylation of electron-deficient arenes (Table VI). Pentafluorobenzene and tetrafluoroarenes can be arylated by aryl iodides (Entries 2 and 6) as well as aryl bromides (Entries 1, 7, 8). Even some hetaryl chlorides can be used (Entries 3 and 4) although for 2-pyridyl chloride 150° C. reaction temperature is required. Alkenylation is also possible (Entries 5 and 9). Potassium phosphate can be used as a base if arene contains more than two fluorine substituents or two fluorine substituents and an additional electron-withdrawing group (Entry 11). For 1,4-difluorobenzene arylation, hindered Et₃COLi base is required. Previously we were unable to efficiently arylate such compounds by using tBuOLi base due to formation of tBuOAr byproduct. Penta- and tetrachlorobenzenes can be phenylated in excellent yield (Entries 12 and 13). Less acidic 1,3-dichlorobenzene is regioselectively phenylated in an acceptable 43% yield by employing Et₃COLi base (Entry 14). If tBuOLi base was used, arylation product was isolated in only 18% yield. 1,3-Dinitrobenzene and 3-nitrobenzonitrile are also reactive affording the arylation products in moderate yields (Entries 15 and 16). The latter two arenes are slowly decomposed by the base and thus only the most reactive aryl iodides can be used. High arylation yield and absence of cyclized products for Entry 6 suggests that S_(RN)1 mechanism is unlikely.¹⁷ Recent data obtained by Hartwig and coworkers argue against intermediacy of aryl radicals for copper-catalyzed C—N bond formation reactions.¹⁸ The following limitations have been observed. If aryl bromides are used in combination with lithium alkoxide bases, low yields of arylation products are obtained. Low conversions (<5%) are obtained in arylation of fluorobenzene, nitrobenzene, and α,α,α-trifluorotoluene.

TABLE VI Arylation of Electron-poor Arenes^(a)

Entry Arene Arylhalide/Base Product Yield %  1^(b) C₆F₅H

51  2^(b) C₆F₅H

73  3 C₆F₅H

85  4 C₆F₅H

41  5 C₆F₅H

81  6 C₆F₅H

89  7

52  8

70  9

95 10

54 11

68 12 C₆Cl₅H C₆H₅I/tBuOLi

91 13

C₆H₅I/tBuOLi

74 14

C₆H₅I/Et₃COLi

43 18^(c) 15

51 16

72 ^(a)Copper (I) iodide (0.1 mmol), phenanthroline (0.1 mmol), halide (1-2 mmol), arene (1-3 mmol), base (1.7-4 mmol), DMF, DMPU, or DMF/xylenes solvent (0.5-0.8 mL). Yields are isolated yields. ^(b)Copper (I) iodide (0.15 mmol), phenanthroline (0.15 mmol), halide (1 mmol), arene (3 mmol), base (4 mmol). ^(c)tBuOLi base.

Mechanistic Considerations

As shown in Scheme 2, the arylation reaction can be divided into three parts: metallation, transmetallation with copper halide, and reaction of arylcopper with haloarene. Metallation and reaction of arylcopper with haloarene steps will be discussed in more detail.

Metallation Step

One can expect that metallation step may be facilitated by coordination of copper species to Lewis-basic heteroatoms of the substrate. However, base-promoted H/D exchange in polyfluoroarenes, electron-rich, and electron-poor heterocycles occurs with the same efficiency both in the presence or absence of CuI (Scheme 4). Consequently, the acidity of substrate determines the position and efficiency of metallation even though the substrates belong to different classes of compounds and some of them possess heteroatoms capable of coordinating transition metals. Copper tbutoxide is a competent metallating reagent under the arylation conditions (Scheme 4B) complicating the mechanistic situation. The lifetime of aryllithium and arylpotassium species must be short since formation of benzyne-derived products has not been observed for polyfluoro- or polychloroarenes under catalytic or H/D exchange conditions.

The rate of metallation/demetallation relative to subsequent reaction steps also has been considered (Scheme 5). If benzothiophene is arylated under the usual reaction conditions but with added tBuOD, incorporation of deuterium in the unreacted starting material is observed. The protonation of aryllithium and/or arylcopper intermediates by relatively weak t-butanol acid is competitive with the arylation step.

The ease of electron-deficient arene metallation demonstrated in this work may have other synthetic implications since strong alkyllithium bases and cryogenic conditions are not required. For substrates possessing DMSO pKa's below 27 even K₃PO₄ base is an efficient metallating agent.

Arylcopper Reaction with Haloarene Step

Several competition experiments were undertaken to determine relative reactivities of aryl iodides and arenes. The intermediate arylcopper species were identified by NMR as well as independently synthesized.

Relative Reactivities

Competition between arylation of pentafluorobenzene and tetrafluorobenzene by 4-iodotoluene results in preferential functionalization of pentafluorobenzene (Scheme 6). This result may be explained by the higher concentration of arylmetal intermediate for the more acidic pentafluorobenzene.

The reactivity of electron-rich and electron-poor aryl halides was compared by reacting a mixture of 4-trifluoromethylhalobenzene and 4-halotoluene with pentafluorobenzene (Scheme 7). A 4/1 product ratio was observed favoring trifluoromethylphenylation for both Hal=I and Br. Thus, electron-deficient aryl halides are more reactive as reported earlier.^(9b)

Arylcopper Intermediates

We independently synthesized one of the presumed arylation intermediates, pentafluorophenylcopper-phenanthroline complex 1 (Scheme 8). It exists as a moisture-sensitive and temperature-sensitive dark orange solid that is either insoluble or poorly soluble in most common organic solvents. The connectivity was verified by X-ray crystallography; however, it was not possible to fully refine the structure due to twinning of the crystals. The reaction of copper iodide, potassium phosphate, pentafluorobenzene, and phenanthroline in DMF under the conditions of the catalytic process afforded complex 1 as determined by ¹⁹F NMR of the crude reaction mixture. The complex reacts with aryl iodides producing cross-coupled biaryls. An analogous 4-methoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenylcopperphenanthroline complex 2 was prepared as dark rust-colored crystals by reacting tBuOCu with 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroanisole followed by addition of phenanthroline ligand. The complex is stable in solid state under inert atmosphere at −20° C.; however, slow decomposition is observed in CH₂Cl₂ solution. It is sparingly soluble in most organic solvents and can be recrystallized from dichloromethane at −30° C. The structure of 2 was verified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The ORTEP diagram of 2 is shown in FIG. 1. The complex exists as a dimer in solid state with a Cu—Cu distance of 2.5570(6) Å that is shorter than the van der Waals radii sum of 2.80 Å signifying a Cu—Cu bonding interaction.19 Copper assumes a distorted tetrahedral geometry with C(13)-Cu—N(1) angle of 135.68(9) Å. As expected, phenanthroline complexes to Cu in a bidentate fashion with Cu—N(1) distance of 2.0720(18) Å and Cu—N(2) distance of 2.0949(19) Å. The copper-C(aryl) bond length is 1.932(2)Å, which is slightly shortened compared to the corresponding Cu—C distance in tetrameric pentafluorophenylcopper (1.962(2) to 2.007(2)Å).²⁰ However, Cu—C distance in pentafluorophenylcopper-pyridine complex is shorter at 1.8913(17)Å.²¹ No arylcopper-phenanthroline complexes appear to have been crystalographically characterized. Isomeric tolylcopper-phenanthroline complexes are known.²²

SUMMARY

A general method for copper-catalyzed arylation of SP2 C—H bonds possessing DMSO pKa's below 35 has been developed. The choice of base is dependent on the acidity of the C—H bond to be arylated. For comparatively acidic C—H bonds with pKa below 27 K₃PO₄ base may be employed. If the substrates are less acidic (pKa 27-35), a stronger lithium alkoxide base is required. A variety of electronrich and electron-poor heterocycles such as azoles, caffeine, thiophenes, benzofuran, pyridine oxides, pyridazine, and pyrimidine can be arylated. Furthermore, electron-poor arenes possessing at least two electron-withdrawing groups on benzene ring can also be arylated. Unusual regioselectivity has been achieved allowing the arylation of the most hindered position. This method supplements the well-known C—H activation/borylation methodology²³ where functionalization usually occurs at the least hindered position. Additionally, the copper-catalyzed arylation methodology is complementary to existing lithiationiboronation/cross-coupling methods and in some cases may offer advantages with regards to the number of synthetic steps and functional group tolerance.²⁴

EXPERIMENTS OF THE INVENTION General Procedure for Coupling Reactions

Outside the glovebox a 1-dram vial equipped with a magnetic stir bar was charged with haloarene, phenanthroline (10 mol %), substrate, and solvent (DMF or a 1/1 mixture of DMF and xylenes). If anhydrous DMPU was used, the reaction was set up inside the glovebox. The vial was flushed with argon, capped and placed inside a glovebox. To this mixture was added CuI (10 mol %) and base (1.7-2.5 equiv). The sealed vial was taken out of the glovebox, stirred at room temperature for 5 min and placed in a preheated oil bath. After the completion of the reaction, the mixture was cooled to room temperature and diluted with ethyl acetate (50 mL). The resulting solution was washed with brine (15 mL), dried over anhydrous MgSO4, and concentrated under vacuum to a volume of about 1 mL. The mixture containing the product was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel (hexanes followed by appropriate solvent to elute the products). After concentrating the fractions containing the product, the residue was dried under reduced pressure to yield pure product. The results of this general coupling reaction are shown in Table I (supra).

First Set of Reactions

FIG. 2 shows the chemical structure of the resultant molecule 2-phenylbenzoxazole, and its NMR spectrum. 2-Phenylbenzoxazole is synthesized using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzoxazole (119 mg, 1.0 mmol), iodobenzene (612 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 181 mg (93%) of a white solid is obtained. R_(f)=0.43 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 8.25-8.30 (m, 2H), 7.75-7.80 (m, 1H), 7.50-7.56 (m, 3H), 7.56-7.62 (m, 1H), 7.33-7.40 (m, 2H).

Under similar conditions, reactions between benzoxazole and other halobenzenes such as PhF or PhBr using t-BuOLi as a base does not lead to 2-phenylbenzoxazole, using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzoxazole (119 mg, 1.0 mmol), halobenzene (3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). The arylation results are presented in Table 1. However, yields over 40% are obtained when the reactions between benzoxazole and halobenzenes—except with fluorobenzene—are conducted using t-BuOK as a base. The reaction conditions are as follows:

For Fluorobenzene:

Copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzoxazole (119 mg, 1.0 mmol), fluorobenzene (288 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOK (224 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). No product is detected.

For Chlorobenzene:

Copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzoxazole (119 mg, 10.0 mmol), chlorobenzene (450 mg, 4.0 mmol), t-BuOK (336 mg, 3.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) and preparative HPLC (5% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 78 mg (40%) of 2-phenylbenzoxazole is obtained. Table I, entry 1.

For Bromobenzene:

Copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzoxazole (119 mg, 10.0 mmol), bromobenzene (471 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOK (224 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) and preparative HPLC (5% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 99 mg (51%) of 2-phenylbenzoxazole is obtained. Table I, entry 2.

For Iodobenzene:

Copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzoxazole (119 mg, 1.0 mmol), iodobenzene (612 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOK (224 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) and preparative HPLC (5% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 119 mg (61%) of 2-phenylbenzoxazole is obtained. Table I, entry 3.

Another General Synthetic Procedure

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a general procedure for the arylation of benzoxazole using copper iodide as catalyst as shown below:

The results of this general coupling reaction are shown in Table II (supra).

FIG. 3 shows the molecular structure of the resultant molecule 2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)benzoxazole when ArI=4-CF₃C₆H₄I or 4-iodobenzotrifluoride, an electron deficient aryl iodide, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)benzoxazole is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzoxazole (119 mg, 1.0 mmol), 4-iodobenzotrifluoride (816 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol) and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 239 mg (91%) of a white solid is obtained. R_(f)=0.46 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 7.43-7.55 (m, 2H), 7.67-7.74 (m, 1H), 7.85-7.93 (m, 3H), 8.48 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 2H). Table II, entry 1.

FIG. 4 shows the molecular structure of the resultant molecule 2-(4-fluorophenyl)benzoxazole when ArI=4-FC₆H₄I or 1-fluoro-4-iodobenzene, an electron deficient aryl iodide, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2-(4-fluorophenyl)benzoxazole is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzoxazole (119 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1-fluoro-4-iodobenzene (666 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 192 mg (90%) of a white solid is obtained. R_(f)=0.42 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 7.16-7.26 (m, 2H), 7.31-7.39 (m, 2H), 7.53-7.60 (m, 1H), 7.72-7.79 (m, 1H), 8.21-8.29 (m, 2H). Table II, entry 2.

FIG. 5 shows the molecular structure of the resultant molecule 2-(4-methoxyphenyl) benzoxazole when ArI=4-MeOC₆H₄I or 4-iodoanisole, an electron rich aryl iodide, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzoxazole is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzoxazole (119 mg, 1.0 mmol), 4-iodoanisole (702 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 15% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 180 mg (80%) of a white solid is obtained. R_(f)=0.27 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 3.98 (s, 3H), 7.12 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.37-7.45 (m, 2H), 7.62-7.67 (m, 1H), 7.80-7.85 (m, 1H), 8.29 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H). Table II, entry 3.

FIG. 6 shows the chemical structure of the resultant molecule 2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)benzoxazole when ArI=3,5-Me₂C₆H₃I or 5-iodo-m-xylene, an electron rich aryl iodide, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)benzoxazole is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.11 mmol), benzoxazole (119 mg, 1.0 mmol), 5-iodo-m-xylene (669 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 189 mg (85%) of a white solid is obtained. R_(f)=0.47 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.50 (s, 6H), 7.26 (s, 1H), 7.40-7.47 (m, 2H), 7.64-7.68 (m, 1H), 7.83-7.88 (m, 1H), 7.98 (s, 2H). Table II, entry 4.

FIG. 7 shows the chemical structure of the resultant molecule 2-o-tolylbenzoxazole when ArI=2-MeC₆H₄I or 2-methyliodobenzene, an electron rich aryl iodide, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of t-o-tolylbenzoxazole is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzoxazole (119 mg, 1.0 mmol), 2-methyliodobenzene (654 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 190 mg (91%) of a white solid is obtained. R_(f)=0.50 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.80 (s, 3H), 7.25-7.43 (m, 5H), 7.55-7.65 (m, 1H), 7.75-7.85 (m, 1H), 8.18 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H). Table II, entry 5.

FIG. 8 shows the chemical structure of the resultant molecule 2-mesitylbenzoxazole when ArI=2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂₁ or 2-iodo-1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, an electron rich aryl iodide, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2-mesitylbenzoxazole is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzoxazole (119 mg, 1.0 mmol), 2-iodo-1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (738 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 5% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 130 mg (55%) of a white solid is obtained, mp 63.5-65° C. R_(f)=0.58 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.38 (s, 6H), 2.44 (s, 3H), 7.08 (s, 2H), 7.44-7.52 (m, 2H), 7.64-7.72 (m, 1H), 7.89-7.97 (m, 1H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 20.3, 21.3, 110.6, 120.1, 122.5, 124.3, 124.9, 128.7, 138.5, 140.3, 141.7, 150.6, 163.4. FT-IR (neat, cm⁻¹) u 1615, 1557, 1456. Table II, entry 6.

FIG. 9 shows the chemical structure of the resultant molecule 2-(1-naphthyl)benzoxazole when ArI=1-iodonaphthalene, an electron rich aryl iodide, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2-(1-naphthyl)benzoxazole is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.11 mmol), benzoxazole (119 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1-iodonapthalene (762 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol) and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 220 mg (90%) of a white solid is obtained. R_(f)=0.39 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 7.36-7.44 (m, 2H), 7.56-7.76 (m, 4H), 7.86-7.96 (m, 2H), 8.03 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.44 (dd, J=8.0 Hz, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 9.48 (dd, J=8.0 Hz, 1.1 Hz, 1H). Table II, entry 7.

FIG. 10 shows the chemical structure of the resultant molecule 2-(2-pyridyl)benzoxazole when ArI=2-iodopyridine, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2-(2-pyridyl)benzoxazole is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzoxazole (119 mg, 1.0 mmol), 2-iodopyridine (615 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 30% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 174 mg (89%) of a white solid is obtained. R_(f)=0.34 (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 7.43-7.59 (m, 3H), 7.72-7.79 (m, 1H), 7.88-8.04 (m, 2H), 8.46 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.91 (d, J=4.3 Hz, 1H). Table II, entry 8.

Another General Synthetic Procedure

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a general procedure for the arylation of a broad variety of heterocycles using copper iodide as catalyst as shown below:

where a phenyl group is attached to either an electron-rich or electron-poor heterocycle. The results of this general coupling reaction are shown in Table III (supra).

The general procedure for the coupling of iodoarenes with heterocyclic compounds is presented here. Outside the glovebox a 1-dram vial equipped with a magnetic stir bar is charged with heterocycle (1.0 mmol), iodoarene (3.0 equiv) and DMF (1 mL). The vial is flushed with argon, capped and placed inside a glovebox. To this mixture is added CuI (10 mol %) and t-BuOLi (2.0 equiv). The sealed vial is taken out of the glovebox, stirred at room temperature for 5 minutes and placed in a preheated oil bath (140̂o C) for 10 minutes. The reaction mixture is allowed to cool to room temperature and diluted with ethyl acetate (50 mL). The resulting solution is washed with brine (3×15 mL), dried over anhydrous MgSO4, and concentrated under vacuum to a volume of about 2 mL. The mixture containing the product is subjected to flash chromatography on silica gel (hexanes followed by appropriate solvent to elute the products). After concentrating the fractions containing the product, the residue is dried under reduced pressure to yield pure arylation product.

FIG. 11 shows the molecular structures of the resultant molecule 2-phenyloxazole when the starting heterocycle is 1,3-oxazole, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. 2,5-Diphenyloxazole is also produced in the synthesis. The synthesis of 2-phenyloxazole and 2,5-diphenyloxazole is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), oxazole (69 mg, 1.0 mmol), iodobenzene (612 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) and preparative HPLC (5% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 15 mg (7%) of a light tan solid (2,5-diphenyloxazole, R_(f)=0.30 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes)) and 85 mg (59%) of a colorless oil (2-phenyloxazole, R_(f)=0.27 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes)) are obtained. ¹H NMR spectrum for 2-Phenyloxazole(300 MHz, _(CDCl3)): δ7.23 (s, 1H), 7.42-7.49 (m, 3H), 7.71 (s, 1H), 8.01-8.10 (m, 2H). ¹H NMR spectrum for 2,5-Diphenyloxazole (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)): δ 7.31-7.38 (m, 1H), 7.40-7.52 (m, 6H), 7.70-7.75 (m, 2H), 8.08-8.15 (m, 2H). Table III, entry 1.

FIG. 12 shows the molecular structures of the resultant molecule 2-phenylthiazole, when the heterocycle is 1,3-thiazole, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. FIG. 13 shows the molecular structure of the resultant molecule 2,5-diphenylthiazole, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2-phenylthiazole and 2,5-diphenylthiazole is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), thiazole (85 mg, 1.0 mmol), iodobenzene (612 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) and preparative HPLC (5% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 140 mg (59%) of a light tan solid (2,5-diphenylthiazole, R_(f)=0.37 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes)) and 60 mg (37%) of a colorless oil (2-phenylthiazole, R_(f)=0.36 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes)). ¹H NMR spectrum for 2-phenylthiazole (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)): δ 7.32 (d, J=3.0 Hz, 1H), 7.40-7.49 (m, 3H), 7.87 (d, J=3.0 Hz, 1H), 7.92-8.01 (m, 2H). ¹H NMR spectrum for 2,5-diphenylthiazole (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)): δ 7.35-7.47 (m, 6H), 7.58-7.65 (m, 2H), 7.94-8.00 (m, 2H), 8.02 (s, 1H). Table III, entry 2.

FIG. 14 shows the molecular structure of the resultant molecule 4,5-dimethyl-2-phenylthiazole, when the heterocycle is 4,5-dimethylthiazole, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 4,5-dimethyl-2-phenylthiazole is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4,5-dimethylthiazole (113 mg, 1.0 mmol), iodobenzene (612 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 159 mg (84%) of a colorless oil is obtained. R_(f)=0.39 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes). This compound is known.¹⁴ ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.50 (s, 6H), 7.43-7.52 (m, 3H), 7.95 (dd, J=7.0 Hz, 1.2 Hz, 2H). Table III, entry 3.

FIG. 15 shows the molecular structure of the resultant molecule 2-phenylbenzothiazole when the heterocycle is benzothiazole and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2-phenylbenzothiazole is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.11 mmol), benzothiazole (135 mg, 1.0 mmol), iodobenzene (612 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 173 mg (82%) of a light tan solid is obtained. R_(f)=0.45 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 8.05-8.13 (m, 3H), 7.92 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.42-7.53 (m, 4H), 7.38 (td, J=8.0 Hz, 1.1 Hz, 1H). Table III, entry 4.

FIG. 16 shows the chemical structure of the resultant molecule 1-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole, when the heterocycle is 1-methyl-1,2,4-triazole, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 1-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1-methyl-1,2,4-triazole (83 mg, 1.0 mmol), iodobenzene (612 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOK (224 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% hexanes in ethyl acetate) and preparative HPLC (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes) 91 mg (57%) of a light tan oil is obtained. R_(f)=0.23 (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 4.00 (s, 3H), 7.48-7.54 (m, 3H), 7.64-7.70 (m, 2H), 7.94 (s, 1H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 37.5, 128.4, 129.1, 129.4, 130.6, 151.3, 155.2. Table III, entry 5.

FIG. 17 shows the chemical structure of the resultant molecule 1-methyl-2-phenylbenzimidazole when the heterocycle is 1-methylbenzimidazole, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 1-methyl-2-phenylbenzimidazole is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1-methylbenzimidazole (132 mg, 1.0 mmol), iodobenzene (612 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (80 mg, 1.0 mmol), t-BuOK (112 mg, 1.0 mmol), and DMF (0.5 mL), 30 minutes. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 25% ethyl acetate in hexanes) and preparative HPLC (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes) 186 mg (89%) of an off-white solid is obtained. R_(f)=0.36 (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 3.88 (s, 3H), 7.30-7.37 (m, 2H), 7.37-7.42 (m, 1H), 7.48-7.57 (m, 3H), 7.75-7.80 (m, 3H), 7.80-7.88 (m, 1H). Table III, entry 6.

FIG. 18 shows the chemical structure of the resultant molecule 1,3,7-trimethyl-8-phenyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione, when the heterocycle is caffeine, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 1,3,7-trimethyl-8-phenyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), caffeine (194 mg, 1.0 mmol), iodobenzene (612 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOK (224 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (0.5 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes, then 30% hexanes in ethyl acetate) and preparative HPLC (50% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 210 mg (78%) of a white solid is obtained. R_(f)=0.25 (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 3.43 (s, 3H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 4.05 (s, 3H), 7.50-7.60 (m, 3H), 7.65-7.72 (m, 2H). Table III, entry 7.

FIG. 19 shows the resultant molecule 2,6-diphenylpyridine oxide, when the heterocycle is 2-phenylpyridine oxide, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2,6-diphenylpyridine oxide is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-phenylpyridine oxide (171 mg, 1.0 mmol), iodobenzene (612 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol) and DMF (1.0 mL), 30 minutes. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 50% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 162 mg (66%) of an off-white solid is obtained. R_(f)=0.28 (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 7.30-7.60 (m, 9H), 7.80-7.86 (m, 4H). Table III, entry 8.

Another General Synthetic Procedure

Yet, another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a general procedure for the coupling of haloarenes with perfluorobenzenes.

Reactions are performed in 1-dram vials with PTFE/Liner caps. Flash chromatography is performed on 60 Å silica gel (Sorbent Technologies). Purification by preparative HPLC is performed on a Shimadzu Prominence LC (LC-20AB) equipped with a SPD-20A UV-Vis detector and a Varian Dynamax (250 mm×21.4 mm) column. GC-MS analyses are performed on a Shimadzu GCMS-QP5000 chromatograph equipped with a Restek column (Rtx-XLB, 30 m×0.25 mm I.D.). The ¹H and ¹³C NMR are recorded on a GE QE-300 spectrometer using residual solvent peak as a reference. Melting points are measured on a Mel-Temp apparatus and are uncorrected. Elemental analyses are performed by Atlantic Microlab Inc. of Norcross, Ga. IR spectra are obtained using ThermoNicolet Avatar 370 FT-IR instrument.

The following starting materials are obtained from commercial sources and are used without further purification: 4-bromotoluen, 4-iodotoluene, 4-bromobenzotrifluoride, 4-bromobenzonitrile, 2-bromothiophene, 3-fluoropyridine, 1,4-difluorobenzene, 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene, 1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobenzene, 1,10-phenanthroline, copper(I) iodide, DMF, lithium t-butoxide, 1-bromonaphthalene, beta-bromostyrene (mixture of cis and trans isomers), potassium phosphate, m-xylene, 4-bromoanisole, 1-bromo-4-fluorobenzene, ethyl 4-bromobenzoate, 2-bromopyridine, 3-bromopyridine, 2-bromonaphthalene, 2-bromo-1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, fluorobenzene, 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene, 1,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene, 2-bromotoluene, 1,3-difluorobenzene, pentafluorobenzene, and 2-iodo-1,3,5-trimethylbenzene.

The general procedure for coupling of haloarenes with perfluorobenzenes is presented here. Outside the glovebox a 1-dram vial equipped with a magnetic stir bar is charged with haloarenes (1.0 mmol), phenanthroline (0.1 mmol), perfluorobenzenes (1.5 equiv) and a mixture (1/1) of DMF and xylene (0.6 mL). The vial is flushed with argon, capped and placed inside a glovebox. To this mixture is added CuI (10 mol %) and K₃PO₄ (2.0 equiv). The sealed vial is taken out of the glovebox, stirred at room temperature for 5 min and placed in a preheated oil bath (130° C.) for 24 hours. The reaction mixture is allowed to cool to room temperature and diluted with ethyl acetate (50 mL). The resulting solution is washed with brine (3×15 mL), dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, and concentrated under vacuum to a volume of about 2 mL. The mixture containing the product is subjected to flash chromatography on silica gel (hexanes followed by appropriate solvent to elute the products). After concentrating the fractions containing the product, the residue is dried under reduced pressure to yield pure arylation product.

FIG. 20 shows the resultant molecule 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl, when the substrate is pentafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 4-bromotoluene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-bromotoluene (171 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylene (0.6 mL), 140° C. After column chromatography (hexanes) 235 mg (91%) of a white solid is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.42 (s, 3H), 7.31 (s, 4H).

FIG. 21 shows the resultant molecule 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-2′-methylbiphenyl when the substrate is pentafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 2-bromotoluene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-2′-methylbiphenyl is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-bromotoluene (171 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylene (0.6 mL), 140° C. After column chromatography (hexanes) 225 mg (87%) of a colorless oil is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.18 (s, 3H), 7.16-7.43 (m, 4H).

FIG. 22 shows the resultant molecule 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-2′,4′,6′-trimethylbiphenyl when the substrate is pentafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 2-bromo-1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-2′,4′,6′-trimethylbiphenyl is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-bromo-1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (199 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylene (0.6 mL), 140° C. After column chromatography (hexanes) and preparative HPLC (hexanes) 60 mg (20%) of a colorless oil is obtained. An alternative synthesis route involves the use of copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-iodo-1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (246 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (0.6 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes) 250 mg (87%) of a colorless oil is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.05 (s, 6H), 2.34 (s, 6H), 7.00 (s, 2H).

FIG. 23 shows the resultant molecules 2,3,4,4′,5,6-hexafluorobiphenyl when the substrate is pentafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 1-bromo-4-fluorobenzene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2,3,4,4′,5,6-hexafluorobiphenyl is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1-bromo-4-fluorobenzene (175 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylene (0.6 mL), 140° C. After column chromatography (hexanes) 240 mg (92%) of a white solid was obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 7.14-7.24 (m, 2H), 7.36-7.45 (m, 2H).

FIG. 24 shows the resultant molecule 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl when the substrate is pentafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 4-bromobenzotrifluoride, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-bromobenzotrifluoride (225 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylene (0.6 mL), 140° C. After column chromatography (hexanes) 275 mg (88%) of a white solid is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 7.56 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H).

FIG. 25 shows the resultant molecule ethyl 2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-pentafluorobiphenyl-4-carboxylate when the substrate is pentafluorobenzene and the haloarene is ethyl 4-bromobenzoate, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of ethyl 2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-pentafluorobiphenyl-4-carboxylate is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), ethyl 4-bromobenzoate (229 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylene (0.6 mL). After column chromatography (10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 285 mg (90%) of a white solid is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 1.41 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H), 4.41 (q, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 7.50 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 8.16 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H).

FIG. 26 shows the resultant molecule 2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-pentafluorobiphenyl-4-carbonitrile when the substrate is pentafluorobenzene and the haloarene is bromobenzonitrile, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-pentafluorobiphenyl-4-carbonitrile is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-bromobenzonitrile (182 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylene (0.6 mL). After column chromatography (10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 255 mg (95%) of a white solid is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 7.53-7.59 (m, 2H), 7.77-7.84 (m, 2H).

FIG. 27 shows the resultant molecule 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-methoxybiphenyl when the substrate is pentafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 4-bromoanisole, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-methoxybiphenyl is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-bromoanisole (187 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylene (0.6 mL), 140° C. After column chromatography (10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 240 mg (88%) of a white solid is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 3.86 (s, 3H), 6.98-7.04 (m, 2H), 7.33-7.38 (m, 2H).

FIG. 28 shows the resultant molecule 1-(perfluorophenyl)naphthalene when the substrate is pentafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 1-bromonaphthalene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 1-(perfluorophenyl)naphthalene is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1-bromonaphthalene (207 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylene (0.6 mL), 140° C. After column chromatography (hexanes) and preparative HPLC (hexanes) 200 mg (68%) of a white solid is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 7.45-7.63 (m, 5H), 7.94-8.04 (m, 2H).

FIG. 29 shows the resultant molecule 2-(perfluorophenyl)naphthalene when the substrate is pentafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 2-bromonaphthalene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2-(perfluorophenyl)naphthalene is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-bromonaphthalene (207 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylene (0.6 mL). After column chromatography (10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 265 mg (90%) of a white solid is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 7.45-7.62 (m, 3H), 7.85-8.00 (m, 4H).

FIG. 30 shows the resultant molecule 2-(perfluorophenyl)pyridine when the substrate is pentafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 2-bromopyridine, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2-(perfluorophenyl)pyridine is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-bromopyridine (158 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 μmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylene (0.6 mL), 120° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (20% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 220 mg (90%) of a white solid is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 7.38 (ddd, J=8.0 Hz, 5.0 Hz, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.45-7.50 (m, 1H), 7.84 (dt, J=1.6 Hz, 7.7 Hz, 1H), 8.75-8.78 (m, 1H).

FIG. 31 shows the resultant molecule 3-(perfluorophenyl)pyridine when the substrate is pentafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 3-bromopyridine, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 3-(perfluorophenyl)pyridine is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 3-bromopyridine (158 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.11 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylene (0.6 mL). After column chromatography (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes) 210 mg (86%) of a light tan solid is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 7.40-7.48 (m, 1H), 7.72-7.80 (m, 1H), 8.65-8.73 (m, 2H).

FIG. 32 shows the resultant molecule 2-(perfluorophenyl)thiophene when the substrate is pentafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 2-bromothiophene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2-(perfluorophenyl)thiophene is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-bromothiophene (163 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylene (0.6 mL), 120° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 230 mg (92%) of a white solid is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 7.16-7.21 (m, 1H), 7.50-7.57 (m, 2H).

FIG. 33 shows the resultant molecules (E)-1,2,3,4,5-pentafluoro-6-styrylbenzene and when the substrate is pentafluorobenzene and the haloalkene is beta-bromostyrene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. (Z)-1,2,3,4,5-Pentafluoro-6-styrylbenzene is also produced in this synthesis. The synthesis of (E)-1,2,3,4,5-pentafluoro-6-styrylbenzene and (Z)-1,2,3,4,5-pentafluoro-6-styrylbenzene is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), beta-bromostyrene (183 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylene (0.6 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes) and preparative HPLC (hexanes) 33 mg (12%) of an off-white solid ((Z)-1,2,3,4,5-pentafluoro-6-styrylbenzene) and 207 mg (77%) of a white solid ((E)-1,2,3,4,5-pentafluoro-6-styrylbenzene) are obtained. (E)-1,2,3,4,5-pentafluoro-6-styrylbenzene: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 6.98 (d, J=16.6 Hz, 1H), 7.30-7.48 (m, 4H), 7.50-7.56 (m, 2H). Data not shown for (Z)-1,2,3,4,5-pentafluoro-6-styrylbenzene.

FIG. 34 shows the resultant molecules 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl when the substrate is 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 4-iodotoluene, and its ¹H NMR. FIG. 35 shows the resultant molecules 1,4-di-(p-tolyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene when the substrate is 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 4-iodotoluene, and its ¹H NMR. The synthesis of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl and 1,4-di-(p-tolyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.11 mmol), 4-iodotoluene (218 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene (300 mg, 2.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (488 mg, 2.3 mmol), and DMF (0.6 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes) and preparative HPLC (hexanes) 185 mg (77%) of a white solid (2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl) and 50 mg (15%) of another white solid (1,4-di-(p-tolyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene) are obtained. Data for 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.42 (s, 3H), 6.97-7.12 (m, 1H), 7.27-7.40 (m, 4H). Data for 1,4-di-(p-tolyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.43 (s, 6H), 7.32 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 4H), 7.41 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 4H).

FIG. 36 shows the resultant molecules 2,3,4,6-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl when the substrate is 1,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 4-iodotoluene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum.

FIG. 37 shows the resultant molecules 1,3-di-(p-tolyl)-2,4,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene when the substrate is 1,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 4-iodotoluene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2,3,4,6-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl and 1,3-di-(p-tolyl)-2,4,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-iodotoluene (218 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene (300 mg, 2.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (488 mg, 2.3 mmol), and DMF (0.6 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes) and preparative HPLC (hexanes) 175 mg (73%) of a white solid (2,3,4,6-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl) and 55 mg (17%) of another white solid (1,3-di-(p-tolyl)-2,4,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene) are obtained. Data for 2,3,4,6-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.42 (s, 3H), 6.80-6.92 (m, 1H), 7.27-7.36 (m, 4H). Data for 1,3-di-(p-tolyl)-2,4,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.41 (s, 6H), 7.28 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 4H), 7.35 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 4H).

FIG. 38 shows the resultant molecule 2,3,4,5-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl when the substrate is 1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobenzene and the haloarene is 4-iodotoluene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2,3,4,5-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-iodotoluene (218 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1,2,3,4-tetrafluorobenzene (300 mg, 2.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (488 mg, 2.3 mmol), and DMF (0.6 mL), 140° C. After column chromatography (hexanes) and preparative HPLC (hexanes) 25 mg (10%) of a white solid is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.41 (s, 3H), 6.98-7.09 (m, 1H), 7.24-7.30 (m, 2H), 7.34-7.40 (m, 2H).

FIG. 39 shows the resultant molecule 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-p-tolylpyridine when the substrate is 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine and the haloarene is 4-iodotoluene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-p-tolylpyridine is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-iodotoluene (218 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine (227 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (0.6 mL), 36 hours. After column chromatography (10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 220 mg (91%) of a white solid is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.44 (s, 3H), 7.35 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 7.40-7.46 (m, 2H).

FIG. 40 shows the resultant molecule 2,4,6-trifluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl when the substrate is 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene and the haloarene is 4-iodotoluene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2,4,6-trifluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-iodotoluene (218 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene (396 mg, 3.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (530 mg, 2.5 mmol), and DMF (0.6 mL). After column chromatography (hexanes) and preparative HPLC (hexanes) 90 mg (40%) of a white solid is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.41 (s, 3H), 6.68-6.82 (m, 2H), 7.24-7.40 (m, 4H).

FIG. 41 shows the resultant molecule 2,5-difluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl when the substrate is 1,4-difluorobenzene and the haloarene is 4-iodotoluene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2,5-difluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-iodotoluene (218 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1,4-difluorobenzene (342 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL), 15 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) and preparative HPLC (hexanes) 30 mg (15%) of a colorless oil is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.40 (s, 3H), 6.91-7.01 (m, 1H), 7.04-7.16 (m, 2H), 7.26 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 7.40-7.46 (m, 2H).

FIG. 42 shows the resultant molecule 2,6-difluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl when the substrate is 1,3-difluorobenzene and the haloarene is 4-iodotoluene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 2,6-difluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-iodotoluene (218 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 μmol), 1,3-difluorobenzene (342 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL), 15 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) and preparative HPLC (hexanes) 165 mg (81%) of a white solid is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.41 (s, 3H), 6.91-7.04 (m, 2H), 7.20-7.32 (m, 3H), 7.34-7.40 (m, 2H).

FIG. 43 shows the resultant molecule 3-fluoro-2-p-tolylpyridine when the substrate is 3-fluoropyridine and the haloarene is 4-iodotoluene, and its ¹H NMR spectrum. The synthesis of 3-fluoro-2-p-tolylpyridine is conducted using copper(I) iodide (19.1 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-iodotoluene (218 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol),3-fluoropyridine (291 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL), 140° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (40% ethyl acetate in hexanes) and preparative HPLC (40% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 70 mg (40%) of a light tan compound is obtained. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 2.41 (s, 3H), 7.29 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.38 (dd, J=6.6 Hz, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 7.38 (dd, J=8.0 Hz, 1.5 Hz, 2H), 8.43 (d, J=5.0 Hz, 1H), 8.51 (d, J=2.8 Hz, 1H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, _(CDCl3)) δ 21.8, 124.6, 129.2, 130.1, 130.5, 136.4 (d), 139.3, 139.6, 139.9, 146.5, 155.5, 159.0. FT-IR (neat, cm⁻¹) u 1615, 1557, 1456.

General Considerations

Reactions were performed in 1-dram vials with PTFE/Liner caps. Flash chromatography was performed on 60 Å silica gel (Sorbent Technologies). Purification by preparative HPLC was performed on a Shimadzu Prominence LC (LC-20AB) equipped with a SPD-20A UV-Vis detector and a Varian Dynamax (250 mm×21.4 mm) column. GCMS analyses were performed on a Shimadzu GCMS-QP5000 chromatograph equipped with a Restek column (Rtx-XLB, 30 m×0.25 mm I.D.). The ¹H, ¹⁹F and ¹³C NMR were recorded on a GE QE-300 spectrometer using residual solvent peak as a reference. Hexafluorobenzene (1% in C₆D₆, δ=−164.9) was employed as an external standard in ¹⁹F NMR spectra. Elemental analyses were performed by Atlantic Microlab Inc. of Norcross, Ga. IR spectra were obtained using ThermoNicolet Avatar 370 FT-IR instrument. Analytical thin layer chromatography was performed on silica gel IB-F (Baker-flex) by J. T. Baker.

Materials

The following starting materials were obtained from commercial sources and were used without further purification: 4-iodotoluene, 4-iodobenzotrifluoride, 4-bromotoluene, 4-bromobenzotrifluoride, 1,4-difluorobenzene, 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene, pentafluorobenzene, 4-bromobiphenyl, and 1,3-dibromobenzene were bought from Oakwood. 1,10-Phenanthroline, copper(I) iodide, DMF, 2,3-benzofuran, 1-iodonapthalene, 4,5-dimethylthiazole, 1-phenylpyrazole, benzothiophene, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorotoluene, pyrimidine, 2-chloropyridine, 4-bromobenzophenone, 1,4-diiodobenzene, 2,4-difluorobenzophenone, and alpha-bromostyrene were obtained from Acros. Potassium phosphate, m-xylene, 2-bromopyridine, 1,3-dinitrobenzene, bromomethylenecyclohexane, 2-iodotoluene, 3-iodotoluene, pentachlorobenzene, 1,3-dichlorobenzene, 3-nitrobenzonitrile, pyridazine, pyridine N-oxide, 2-picoline N-oxide, anhydrous DMPU, n-butyllithium (2.0 M solution in cyclohexane), and 2-iodophenol were purchased from Aldrich. Iodobenzene, 1-methyl-1,2,4-triazole, 3-chlorothiophene, benzothiazole, caffeine, 2-chlorothiophene, thiophene, 2-chloroquinoline, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroanisole, and 3-ethyl-3-pentanol were from Alfa Aesar. Lithium t-butoxide was bought from Strem. 2-Iodopyridine and 4-bromo-1-butene were purchased from TCI. t-Butanol (OD) was from Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc. 1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene was purchased from Eastman Organic Chemicals. 1-(But-3-enyloxy)-2-iodobenzene was prepared from o-iodophenol.¹ 2-Phenylpyridine oxide was synthesized from 2-phenylpyridine.²

Lithium 3-ethyl-3-pentoxide

A flamed-dried 200 mL Schlenk flask was charged with a magnetic stirrer and phenanthroline indicator (5 mg). The flask was evacuated and backfilled three times by argon. Anhydrous pentane (20 mL) and a 2M solution of n-BuLi in cyclohexane (50 mL) were added at 0° C. to form a reddish-brown solution. 3-Ethyl-3-pentanol (predried by distillation from Mg turnings) was added dropwise with stirring until the solution became colorless. The reaction mixture was warmed up to room temperature following by solvent removal under vacuum affording a yellow solid. The crude product was dissolved in pentane (10 mL), filtered through Celite® under argon atmosphere. Celite® was washed by additional pentane (10 mL). The filtrate was kept at −20° C. for a week affording 9.5 g (78%) of a colorless crystalline product. This compound is known.³

Pentafluorophenylcopper-phenanthroline Complex 1

To a mixture of copper (I) chloride (1.99 g, 20 mmol) and t-BuOLi (1.50 g, 18.8 mmol) in a 50 mL Schlenk flask under Ar atmosphere was added dry THF (25 mL). The pale yellow reaction mixture was vigorously stirred at 40° C. for 4 hours followed by addition of pentafluorobenzene (5.04 g, 30 mmol) in one portion and stirring for an additional hour. The pale yellow solution was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and the residue was dissolved in dry toluene (30 mL) followed by filtration through a pad of Celite® under argon atmosphere. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure at 45° C. and the residue was dissolved in dry CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL). To this mixture was added a solution of phenanthroline (3.60 g, 20 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (20 mL). An immediate precipitate of an orange solid was observed. The mixture was stirred for 5 minutes followed by filtration under argon atmosphere. An orange solid (4.0 g, 52% yield) was obtained. It can be recrystallized from a mixture (½) of DCM and DMPU at −30° C. affording dark orange needles. The connectivity was verified by X-ray crystallography as shown in FIG. 1; however, it was not possible to fully refine the structure due to twinning of the crystals. The molecule structure of pentafluorophenylcopper-phenanthroline complex 1 and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 44. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMF-d7) δ 7.94 (dd, J=8.5 Hz, 4.2 Hz, 2H), 8.14 (s, 2H), 8.70 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 9.13 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 2H). ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, DMF-d7) 6-166.2-165.9 (m, 2F), −165.2 (t, JF=20 Hz, 1F), −112.9-112.4 (m, 2F). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, DMFd7) δ 125.0, 127.5, 129.6, 134.2-138.3 (m), 137.7, 136.0-139.8 (m), 145.5, 148.0-151.6 (m), 150.5. FT-IR (neat, cm-1) ν 1511, 1486, 1432, 1423, 1416, 1035, 934, 839, 770, 725. The complex is sensitive to temperature and atmospheric moisture and satisfactory elemental analyses could not be obtained.

4-methoxytetrafluorophenylcopper-phenanthroline Complex 2

To a mixture of copper (I) chloride (1.0 g, 10 mmol) and t-BuOLi (0.76 g, 9.5 mmol) in a 50 mL Schlenk flask under Ar atmosphere was added dry THF (12 mL). The pale yellow reaction mixture was vigorously stirred at 40° C. for 4 hours followed by addition of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroanisole (2.0 g, 11.1 mmol) in one portion and stirring overnight at 40° C. The pale yellow suspension was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and the residue was dissolved in dry toluene (20 mL) followed by filtration through a pad of Celite® under argon atmosphere. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure at 45° C. and the residue was dissolved in dry CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL). To this mixture was added a solution of phenanthroline (0.58 g, 3.2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL). The rust-colored solution was stirred for 5 minutes at room temperature and then kept at −30° C. for 2 days. Rust-colored crystals were collected and washed by a small amount of CH₂Cl₂ affording 0.52 g (38%) of the product. The structure was verified by X-ray crystallography. The molecule structure of 4-methoxytetrafluorophenylcopper-phenanthroline complex 2 and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 45. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₂Cl₂) δ 3.93 (s, 3H), 7.87 (dd, J=8.2 Hz, 4.5 Hz, 2H), 7.96 (s, 2H), 8.48 (dd, J=8.2 Hz, 1 Hz, 2H), 9.17 (s, 2H). ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CD₂Cl₂) δ−161.0-160.4 (m, 2F), −113.8−113.0 (m, 2F). FT-IR (neat, cm-1) ν 1476, 1423, 1075, 949, 929, 841, 757, 727. It was impossible to obtain a good quality ¹³C spectrum of 2 due to low solubility in common NMR solvents coupled with instability in solution. The complex is sensitive to temperature and atmospheric moisture and satisfactory elemental analyses could not be obtained.

General Procedure for Coupling Reactions

Outside the glovebox a 1-dram vial equipped with a magnetic stir bar was charged with haloarene, phenanthroline (10 mol %), substrate, and solvent (DMF or a 1/1 mixture of DMF and xylenes). If anhydrous DMPU was used, the reaction was set up inside the glovebox. The vial was flushed with argon, capped and placed inside a glovebox. To this mixture was added CuI (10 mol %) and base (1.7-2.5 equiv). The sealed vial was then taken out of the glovebox, stirred at room temperature for 5 min and placed in a preheated oil bath. After the completion of the reaction, the mixture was cooled to room temperature and diluted with ethyl acetate (50 mL). The resulting solution was washed with brine (15 mL), dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, and concentrated under vacuum to a volume of about 1 mL. The mixture containing the product was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel (hexanes followed by appropriate solvent to elute the products). After concentrating the fractions containing the product, the residue was dried under reduced pressure to yield pure product.

4,5-Dimethyl-2-p-tolylthiazole and 4,5-dimethyl-2-m-tolylthiazole (Scheme 3)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4,5-dimethylthiazole (113 mg, 1.0 mmol), p-bromotoluene (513 mg, 3.0 mmol), t-BuOK (224 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL) at 140° C. in 10 minute. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) and preparative HPLC (5% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 17 mg (8.4%) of a yellow solid (4,5-dimethyl-2-ptolylthiazole) and 15 mg (7.4%) of a colorless oil (4,5-dimethyl-2-m-tolylthiazole) were obtained. These compounds are known.⁴ The molecule structure of 4,5-Dimethyl-2-p-tolylthiazole and the ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 46. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 2.37 (s, 9H), 7.20 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.74 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H). The molecule structure of 4,5-Dimethyl-2-m-tolylthiazole and the ₁H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 47. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl³) δ 2.39 (s, 9H), 7.18 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.25-7.32 (m, 1H), 7.63 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.71 (s, 1H).

2-(Pyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazole (Entry 1, Table IV)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-bromopyridine (316 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzothiazole (135 mg, 1.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (0.6 mL), 120° C., 5 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 20% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 190 mg (89%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.36 (1/4 ethyl acetate/hexanes). This compound is known.⁵ The molecule structure of 2-(pyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazole and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 48. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.32-7.45 (m, 2H), 7.50 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.84 (dt, J=7.7 Hz, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.95 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 8.08 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 8.36 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 8.68 (d, J=4.4 Hz, 1H).

1,3,7-Trimethyl-8-phenyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione (Entry 2, Table IV)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), caffeine (194 mg, 1.0 mmol), iodobenzene (408 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (0.5 mL), 110° C., 5 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 20% hexanes in ethyl acetate) 230 mg (85%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.25 (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes). This compound is known.⁶ The molecule structure of 1,3,7-Trimethyl-8-phenyl-1H-purine-2,6(3H,7H)-dione and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 49. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.43 (s, 3H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 4.05 (s, 3H), 7.50-7.60 (m, 3H), 7.65-7.72 (m, 2H).

1-Methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole (Entry 3, Table IV)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), iodobenzene (408 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1-methyl-1,2,4-triazole (83 mg, 1.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 1.7 mmol), and DMF (0.6 mL), 100° C., 5 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 20% hexanes in ethyl acetate) 140 mg (88%) of a light tan oil was obtained. R_(f)=0.23 (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes). This compound is known.⁷ The molecule structure of 1-Methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 50. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.00 (s, 3H), 7.48-7.54 (m, 3H), 7.64-7.70 (m, 2H), 7.94 (s, 1H).

1-Methyl-2-phenylimidazole (Entry 4, Table IV)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), iodobenzene (408 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1-methylimidazole (82 mg, 1.0 mmol), Et₃COLi (207 mg, 1.7 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.5 mL), 125° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes) 130 mg (82%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.56 (ethyl acetate). This compound is known.⁸ The molecule structure of 1-Methyl-2-phenylimidazole and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 51. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 3.73 (s, 3H), 6.96 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.11 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.38-7.48 (m, 3H), 7.59-7.64 (m, 2H).

3-Chloro-2,5-diphenylthiophene (Entry 5, Table IV)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), iodobenzene (612 mg, 3.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.11 mmol), 3-chlorothiophene (118.5 mg, 1.0 mmol), Et₃COLi (305 mg, 2.5 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.6 mL), 125° C., 15 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 235 mg (87%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.36 (hexanes), mp 63.5-64.5° C. (from pentane). The molecule structure of 3-chloro-2,5-diphenylthiophene and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 52. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.21 (s, 1H), 7.29-7.49 (m, 6H), 7.55-7.62 (m, 2H), 7.69-7.76 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ122.2, 125.6, 126.0, 128.6, 128.7, 129.0, 129.1, 129.5, 132.8, 133.8, 135.9, 142.6. FT-IR (neat, cm−1) u 1483, 863, 828, 756, 718, 694. Anal calcd for C₁₆H₁₁SCl (270.78 g/mol): C, 70.97; H, 4.09; S, 11.84; Found. C, 70.85; H, 4.04.

2,5-Diphenylthiophene and 2-phenylthiophene (Entry 6, Table IV)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), iodobenzene (612 mg, 3.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), thiophene (84 mg, 1.0 mmol), Et₃COLi (366 mg, 3.0 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.6 mL), 125° C., 15 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 200 mg (85%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.24 (SiO₂, hexanes). This compound is known.⁹ The molecule structure of 2,5-diphenylthiophene and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 53. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.27-7.32 (m, 4H), 7.39 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 4H), 7.63 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 4H).

1,5-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazole (Entry 7, Table IV):

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), iodobenzene (408 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1-phenylpyrazole (144 mg, 1.0 mmol), Et₃COLi (207 mg, 1.7 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.5 mL), 125° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 115 mg (52%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.41 (1/4 ethyl acetate/hexanes). This compound is known.¹⁰ The molecule structure of 1,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazole and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 54. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.51 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.20-7.26 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.35 (m, 8H), 7.72 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H).

2-Phenylbenzo[b]thiophene (Entry 8, Table IV)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), iodobenzene (408 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzo[b]thiophene (134 mg, 1.0 mmol), Et₃COLi (207 mg, 1.7 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.5 mL), 125° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 180 mg (86%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.33 (hexanes). This compound is known.⁸ The molecule structure of 2-phenylbenzo[b]thiophene and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 55. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.27-7.47 (m, 5H), 7.55 (s, 1H), 7.67-7.86 (m, 4H).

2-Phenylbenzofuran (Entry 9, Table IV)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), iodobenzene (408 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.11 mmol), benzofuran (118 mg, 1.0 mmol), Et₃COLi (207 mg, 1.7 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.5 mL), 125° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 117 mg (60%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.27 (hexanes). This compound is known.¹¹ The molecule structure of 2-phenylbenzofuran and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 56. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.03 (s, 1H), 7.20-7.40 (m, 3H), 7.45 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 7.53 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 2H).

2-Chloro-5-o-tolylthiophene (Entry 10, Table IV)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-iodotoluene (218 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-chlorothiophene (237 mg, 2.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.6 mL), 125° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 185 mg of a colorless oil (89%) was obtained. R_(f)=0.54 (hexanes). The molecule structure of 2-chloro-5-o-tolylthiophene and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 57. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 2.34 (s, 3H), 6.73 (d, J=3.9 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (d, J=3.9 Hz, 1H), 7.10-7.20 (m, 3H), 7.24-7.29 (m, 1H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 21.5, 126.1, 126.5, 126.6, 128.7, 129.8, 130.8, 131.3, 133.8, 136.6, 142.3. FT-IR (neat, cm−1) u 1487, 1455, 1003, 799, 756, 721. Anal calcd for C₁₁H₉ClS (208.71 g/mol): C, 63.30; H, 4.35; S, 15.36; Found. C, 62.83; H, 4.32.

2-Chloro-5-m-tolylthiophene (Entry 11, Table IV)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 3-iodotoluene (218 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-chlorothiophene (237 mg, 2.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.6 mL), 125° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 190 mg of a colorless solid (91%) was obtained. R_(f)=0.55 (hexanes), mp 37-38.5° C. (from hexanes). The molecule structure of 2-chloro-5-m-tolylthiophene and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 58. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 2.39 (s, 3H), 6.89 (d, J=3.9 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (d, J=3.9 Hz, 1H), 7.12 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.24-7.35 (m, 3H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 22.0, 122.7, 123.3, 126.8, 127.6, 129.2, 129.4, 129.5, 134.2, 139.2, 143.7. FT-IR (neat, cm−1) u 1603, 1488, 1446, 1211, 796, 782, 688. Anal calcd for C₁₁H₉ClS (208.71 g/mol): C, 63.30; H, 4.35; S, 15.36; Found. C, 63.28; H, 4.30.

2-Phenylpyridine 1-oxide and 2,6-diphenylpyridine 1-oxide (Entry 1, Table V)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), iodobenzene (408 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pyridine N-oxide (95 mg, 1.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (145 mg, 1.8 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.5 mL), 125° C., 1 hour. After column chromatography (ethyl acetate, then 15% MeOH in ethyl acetate) 50 mg of 2,6-diphenylpyridine 1-oxide (20%) was obtained as an off-white solid. Additionally, 2-phenylpyridine 1-oxide (100 mg, 58%) was obtained as a colorless solid. These compounds are known.^(7,12) 2-Phenylpyridine 1-oxide: R_(f)=0.46 (3/7 methanol/ethyl acetate). The molecule structure of 2-phenylpyridine 1-oxide and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 59. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.17-7.34 (m, 2H), 7.38-7.53 (m, 4H), 7.80 (dd, J=7.7 Hz, 1.7 Hz, 2H), 8.33 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 1H). 2,6-Diphenylpyridine 1-oxide: R_(f)=0.30 (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.28-7.52 (m, 9H), 7.80-7.87 (m, 4H).

2,2′-Bipyridine 1-oxide (Entry 2, Table V)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-iodopyridine (410 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pyridine N-oxide (95 mg, 1.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (0.6 mL), 120° C., 5 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 7/3 ethyl acetate/hexanes) 70 mg (41%) of a light tan solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.34 (ethyl acetate). This compound is known.¹³ The molecule structure of 2,2′-bipyridine 1-oxide and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 60. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.29 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 6.64 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.27-7.44 (m, 2H), 7.77-7.98 (m, 3H), 8.56 (dd, J=5.0 Hz, 1.0 Hz, 1H).

2-Methyl-6-phenylpyridine 1-oxide (Entry 3, Table V)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), iodobenzene (408 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-picoline N-oxide (109 mg, 1.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (145 mg, 1.8 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.5 mL), 125° C., 1 hour. After column chromatography (ethyl acetate, then 5% MeOH in ethyl acetate) and preparative HPLC (5% MeOH in ethyl acetate) 80 mg (43%) of a light tan solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.24 (ethyl acetate). This compound is known.¹⁴ The molecule structure of 2-methyl-6-phenylpyridine 1-oxide and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 61. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 2.56 (s, 3H), 7.13-7.34 (m, 3H), 7.37-7.51 (m, 3H), 7.77 (dd, J=7.8 Hz, 1.7 Hz, 2H).

2-Phenyl-6-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)pyridine 1-oxide (Entry 4, Table V)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-iodobenzotrifluoride (544 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-phenylpyridine N-oxide (171 mg, 1.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.6 mL), 125° C., 1 hour. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes) 252 mg (80%) of a light tan solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.44 (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes), mp 150-151° C. (from ether). The molecule structure of 2-phenyl-6-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)pyridine 1-oxide and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 62. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.33-7.42 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.51 (m, 4H), 7.72 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.79-7.84 (m, 2H), 7.96 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 124.4 (q, JC-F=273 Hz), 125.4, 125.5, 125.6, 126.6, 127.4, 128.7, 130.0, 130.6, 131.6 (q, JC-F=33.5 Hz), 133.5, 137.4, 149.0, 150.7. FTIR (neat, cm−1) u 1372, 1327, 1281, 1165, 1121, 1071, 854, 844, 800, 768 Anal calcd for C₁₈H₁₂F₃NO (315.29 g/mol): C, 68.57; H, 3.84; N, 4.44; Found. C, 68.71; H, 3.91; N, 4.41.

2-(Naphthalen-1-yl)-6-phenylpyridine 1-oxide (Entry 5, Table V)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1-iodonapthalene (508 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-phenylpyridine N-oxide (171 mg, 1.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.6 mL), 125° C., 1 hour. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes) 270 mg (91%) of a light tan solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.31 (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes), mp 167-168° C. (from ethyl acetate). The molecule structure of 2-(naphthalen-1-yl)-6-phenylpyridine 1-oxide and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 63. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.38-7.50 (m, 7H), 7.52-7.60 (m, 4H), 7.86-7.98 (m, 4H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 122.5, 124.9, 125.8, 125.9, 126.6, 127.1, 127.3, 127.8, 128.2, 128.6, 129.0, 129.9, 130.1, 130.3, 131.7, 133.6, 134.0, 150.4, 151.0. FT-IR (neat, cm-1) u 1372, 1245, 843, 782, 764. Anal calcd for C₂₁H₁₅NO (297.35 g/mol): C, 84.82; H, 5.08; N, 4.71; Found. C, 84.56; H, 5.05; N, 4.64.

4-Phenylpyridazine (Entry 6, Table V)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), iodobenzene (204 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pyridazine (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), Et₃COLi (207 mg, 1.7 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.5 mL), 125° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes) 94 mg (60%) of a light tan solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.40 (ethyl acetate). This compound is known.¹⁵ The molecule structure of 4-phenylpyridazine and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 64. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.45-7.59 (m, 3H), 7.60-7.70 (m, 3H), 9.21 (dd, J=5.5 Hz, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 9.45 (dd, J=2.2 Hz, 1.0 Hz, 1H).

5-Phenylpyrimidine (Entry 7, Table V)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), iodobenzene (204 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pyrimidine (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), Et₃COLi (207 mg, 1.7 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.5 mL), 125° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes) 48 mg (31%) of a light tan solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.55 (ethyl acetate). This compound is known.¹⁶ The molecule structure of 5-phenylpyrimidine and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 65. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.42-7.61 (m, 5H), 8.95 (s, 2H), 9.20 (s, 1H).

1,3-Dipentafluorophenylbenzene (Entry 1, Table VI)

Copper(I) iodide (29 mg, 0.15 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (504 mg, 3.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (27 mg, 0.15 mmol), 1,3-dibromobenzene (236 mg, 1.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (848 mg, 4.0 mmol), and DMF/xylenes (1/1, 0.8 mL), 125° C., 24 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 210 mg (51%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.38 (hexanes). This compound is known.¹⁷ The molecule structure of 1,3-dipentafluorophenylbenzene and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 66. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.47-7.58 (m, 3H), 7.60-7.67 (m, 1H). ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) δ−163.8-163.5 (m, 4F), −156.4 (t, JF=21.0 Hz, 2F), −145.0 (dd, JF=7.6, 23.0 Hz, 4F).

1,4-Dipentafluorophenylbenzene (Entry 2, Table VI)

Copper(I) iodide (29 mg, 0.15 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (504 mg, 3.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (27 mg, 0.15 mmol), 1,4-diiodobenzene (330 mg, 1.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (848 mg, 4.0 mmol), and DMF (0.8 mL), 125° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 300 mg (73%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.30 (hexanes). This compound is known.¹⁸ The molecule structure of 1,4-dipentafluorophenylbenzene and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 67. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.56 (s, 4H). ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) δ−163.4-163.0 (m, 4F), −156.2-155.8 (m, 2F), −144.6 (dd, JF=7.6, 23.0 Hz, 4F).

2-(Pentafluorophenyl)quinoline (Entry 3, Table VI)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-chloroquinoline (163.5 mg, 1.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylenes (1/1, 0.5 mL), 125° C., 24 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 250 mg (85%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.42 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes), mp 168-169.5° C. (from pentane). The molecule structure of 2-(pentafluorophenyl)quinoline and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 68. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.53 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.63 (dt, J=7.8 Hz, 0.5 Hz, 1H), 7.79 (dt, J=7.8 Hz, 0.5 Hz, 1H), 7.89 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 8.16 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 8.29 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H). ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) δ−163.5-162.9 (m, 2F), −155.3-154.9 (m, 1F), −144.4 (d, JF=21.0 Hz, 2F). FT-IR (neat, cm−1) u 1493, 1077, 986, 906, 836, 789 Anal calcd for C₁₅H₆NF₅ (295.21 g/mol): C, 61.03; H, 2.05; N, 4.74; Found. C, 61.03; H, 1.97; N, 4.61.

2-(Pentafluorophenyl)pyridine (Entry 4, Table VI)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-chloropyridine (113.5 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.11 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylenes (0.6 mL), 150° C., 24 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 100 mg (41%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.41 (1/4 AcOEt/hexanes). This compound is known.¹⁷ The molecule structure of 2-(pentafluorophenyl)pyridine and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 69. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.38 (ddd, J=8.0 Hz, 5.0 Hz, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.80-7.88 (m, 1H), 8.74-8.80 (m, 1H). ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) δ−163.6-163.3 (m, 2F), −155.5-155.1 (m, 1F), −144.9 (dd, JF=7.6, 23.0 Hz, 2F).

1,2,3,4,5-Pentafluoro-6-(1-phenylvinyl)benzene (Entry 5, Table VI)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), a-bromostyrene (183 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF/xylenes (1/1, 0.6 mL), 125° C., 24 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 220 mg (81%) of a colorless oil was obtained. R_(f)=0.42 (hexanes). This compound is known.¹⁹ The molecule structure of 1,2,3,4,5-pentafluoro-6-(1-phenylvinyl)benzene and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 70. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.44 (s, 1H), 6.06 (s, 1H), 7.22-7.39 (m, 5H). ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) δ−163.9-163.4 (m, 2F), −156.9-156.5 (m, 1F), −141.9 (dd, JF=7.6, 23.0 Hz, 2F).

2′-(But-3-enyloxy)-2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobiphenyl (Entry 6, Table VI)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1-(but-3-enyloxy)-2-iodobenzene (274 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (0.6 mL), 125° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 280 mg (89%) of a colorless oil was obtained. R_(f)=0.33 (hexanes). The molecule structure of 2′-(but-3-enyloxy)-2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobiphenyl and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 71. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 2.43 (q, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 4.04 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 5.01 (s, 1H), 5.06 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 1H), 5.68-5.85 (m, 1H), 7.02 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 1H), 7.43 (dt, J=7.8 Hz, 1.5 Hz, 1H). ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) δ−165.3-164.9 (m, 2F), −158.2-157.8 (m, 1F), −141.8-141.4 (m, 2F). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 34.1, 68.1, 112.8, 113.4 (t, JC-F=15.7 Hz), 116.2, 117.4, 121.2, 131.5, 132.2, 136.4, 136.1-139.5 (m), 139.5-142.9 (m), 143.1-146.9 (m), 157.0. FT-IR (neat, cm−1) ν 1493, 1250, 1063, 987, 752 Anal calcd for C₁₆H₁₁OF₅ (314.25 g/mol): C, 61.15; H, 3.53; O, 5.09; Found. C, 61.58; H, 3.50.

Phenyl(2′,3′,5′,6′-tetrafluorobiphenyl-4-yl)methanone (Entry 7, Table VI)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene (300 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-bromobenzophenone (261 mg, 1.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (500 mg, 2.4 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.5 mL), 120° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 5% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 170 mg (52%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.42 (1/9 ethyl acetate/hexanes), mp 108-111° C. (from pentane). The molecule structure of phenyl(2′,3′,5′,6′-tetrafluorobiphenyl-4-yl)methanone and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 72. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.05-7.18 (m, 1H), 7.45-7.65 (m, 5H), 7.80-7.88 (m, 2H), 7.92 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H). ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) δ−145.5-145.3 (m, 2F), −140.5-140.2 (m, 2F). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 106.0 (t, JC-F=21.5 Hz), 121.1 (t, JC-F=16.8 Hz), 128.7, 128.9, 130.5, 130.6, 131.9, 133.0, 137.9, 138.8, 142.4-146.2 (m), 145.0-148.8 (m), 196.2. FT-IR (neat, cm−1) ν 1645, 1492, 1283, 936, 852, 701 Anal calcd for C₁₉H₁₀OF₄ (330.28 g/mol): C, 69.09; H, 3.05; 0, 4.84; Found. C, 68.99; H, 3.02.

2,3,4,6-Tetrafluoro-4′-phenylbiphenyl (Entry 8, Table VI)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1,2,3,5-tetrafluorobenzene (300 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-bromobiphenyl (231 mg, 1.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (500 mg, 2.4 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.5 mL), 125° C., 24 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 210 mg (70%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.23 (hexanes). This compound is known.²⁰ The molecule structure of 2,3,4,6-tetrafluoro-4′-phenylbiphenyl and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 73. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 6.83-6.95 (m, 1H), 7.34-7.55 (m, 5H), 7.60-7.74 (m, 4H). ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) δ−166.8-166.3 (m, 1F), −137.3 (d, JF=21.0 Hz, 1F), −135.3-135.0 (m, 1F), −120.0 (t, JF=10.0 Hz, 1F).

1-(Cyclohexylidenemethyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-methylbenzene (Entry 9, Table VI)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorotoluene (245 mg, 1.5 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), bromomethylenecyclohexane (175 mg, 1.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.6 mL), 125° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 245 mg (95%) of a colorless oil was obtained. R_(f)=0.60 (hexanes). The molecule structure of 1-(cyclohexylidenemethyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-methylbenzene and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 74. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.50-1.70 (m, 6H), 2.05 (s, 2H), 2.24 (t, J=2.2 Hz, 3H), 2.31 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 5.79 (s, 1H). ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) 8-147.3 (dd, JF=21.0, 13.3 Hz, 1F), −147.3 (dd, JF=21.0, 13.3 Hz, 1F). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.9, 26.8, 27.9, 28.9, 31.6, 37.5, 106.6, 114.2 (t, J=19.5 Hz), 115.3 (t, J=19.5 Hz), 142.3-146.0(m), 143.6-147.4 (m), 151.0. FT-IR (neat, cm—1) u 2934, 2857, 1475, 1287, 1064, 951, 922 Anal calcd for C₁₄H₁₄F₄ (258.25 g/mol): C, 65.11; H, 5.46; Found. C, 64.74; H, 5.33.

2,5-Difluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl (Entry 10, Table VI)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-iodotoluene (218 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1,4-difluorobenzene (228 mg, 2.0 mmol), Et₃COLi (207 mg, 1.7 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.5 mL), 125° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 110 mg (54%) of a colorless oil was obtained. R_(f)=0.42 (hexanes). This compound is known.¹⁷ The molecule structure of 2,5-difluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 75. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 2.40 (s, 3H), 6.91-7.02 (m, 1H), 7.03-7.18 (m, 2H), 7.26 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 7.43 (dd, J=7.8 Hz, 1.2 Hz, 2H). ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) δ−125.9 (br s, 1F), −120.9 (br s, 1F).

2,4-Difluoro-3-(pyridin-2-yl)benzophenone (Entry 11, Table VI)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-iodopyridine (205 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2,4-difluorobenzophenone (436 mg, 2.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.6 mL), 125° C., 24 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes) 200 mg (68%) of a light tan oil was obtained. R_(f)=0.45 (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes). The molecule structure of 2,4-difluoro-3-(pyridin-2-yl)benzophenone and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 76. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.11 (dt, J=8.8, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.26-7.33 (m, 1H), 7.39-7.50 (m, 3H), 7.51-7.64 (m, 2H), 7.75 (dt, J=7.8, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.82 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 8.72 (d, J=4.4 Hz, 2H). ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) δ−113.3-113.2 (m, 1F), −110.2-110.0 (m, 1F). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 112.8 (dd, J=24.0, 4.5 Hz), 119.2 (t, J=18.5, Hz), 121.9, 123.8, 124.3 (dd, J=15.5, 3.5 Hz), 126.5, 129.1, 130.2, 132.1 (dd, J=10.8, 6.8 Hz), 134.0, 137.0, 137.9, 149.1, 150.4, 158.7 (dd, J=257.3, 7.0 Hz), 162.7 (dd, J=257.3, 7.0 Hz), 192.8. FT-IR (neat, cm−1) u 1667, 1618, 1592, 1448, 1420, 1321, 1269, 1013, 832, 797, 789, 748, 719 Anal calcd for C₁₈H₁₁F₂NO (295.28 g/mol): C, 73.22; H, 3.75; N, 4.74; Found. C, 72.55; H, 3.88; N, 4.74.

2,3,4,5,6-Pentachlorobiphenyl (Entry 12, Table VI)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), iodobenzene (408 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1,2,3,4,5-pentachlorobenzene (250 mg, 1.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2 mmol), and DMF (0.5 mL), 120° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 297 mg (91%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.54 (hexanes). This compound is known.²¹ The molecule structure of 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorobiphenyl and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 77. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.16-7.21 (m, 2H), 7.44-7.52 (m, 3H).

2,3,5,6-Tetrachlorobiphenyl (Entry 13, Table VI)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.11 mmol), iodobenzene (204 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene (432 mg, 2.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2 mmol), and DMPU (0.6 mL), 125° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 217 mg (74%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.51 (hexanes). This compound is known.²² The molecule structure of 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorobiphenyl and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 78. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.17-7.22 (m, 2H), 7.44-7.52 (m, 3H), 7.64 (s, 1H).

2,6-Dichlorobiphenyl (Entry 14, Table VI)

Using Et₃COLi Base:

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), iodobenzene (204 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1,3-dichlorobenzene (220 mg, 1.5 mmol), Et₃COLi (207 mg, 1.7 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.5 mL), 125° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 96 mg (43%) of a colorless oil was obtained. R_(f)=0.49 (hexanes). This compound is known.²³ The molecule structure of 2,6-dichlorobiphenyl and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 79. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.18-7.30 (m, 3H), 7.38-7.50 (m, 5H).

—Using t-BuOLi Base:

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), iodobenzene (204 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1,3-dichlorobenzene (220 mg, 1.5 mmol), tBuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMPU (0.5 mL), 125° C., 12 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes) 40 mg (18%) of a colorless oil was obtained.

3-Nitro-2-(pyridin-2-yl)benzonitrile (Entry 15, Table VI)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-iodopyridine (410 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 3-nitrobenzonitrile (148 mg, 1.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.6 mL), 125° C., 24 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes) 115 mg (51%) of a light tan solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.45 (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes), mp 107-109° C. (from ether). The molecule structure of 3-nitro-2-(pyridin-2-yl)benzonitrile and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 80. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.41 (ddd, J=8.0 Hz, 4.5 Hz, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (dt, J=8.0 Hz, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (t, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.89 (dt, J=8.0 Hz, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.99 (dd, J=8.0 Hz, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.16 (dd, J=8.0 Hz, 1 Hz, 1H), 8.69 (dt, J=4.5 Hz, 1.0 Hz, 1H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 115.8, 116.4, 124.4, 124.7, 128.8, 130.3, 132.8, 137.3, 137.5, 139.4, 150.7, 152.4. FT-IR (neat, cm-1) u 2230, 1589, 1548, 1528, 1372, 815, 799, 783, 754, 733 Anal calcd for C₁₂H₇N₃O₂ (225.20 g/mol): C, 64.00; H, 3.13; N, 18.66; Found. C, 64.27; H, 3.13; N, 18.40.

2-(2,6-Dinitrophenyl)pyridine (Entry 16, Table VI)

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 2-iodopyridine (205 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), 1,3-dinitrobenzene (336 mg, 2.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.6 mL), 125° C., 22 hours. After column chromatography (hexanes, then 35% ethyl acetate in hexanes) 176 mg (72%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.47 (1/1 ethyl acetate/hexanes), mp 160-162° C. (from hexanes). The molecule structure of 2-(2,6-dinitrophenyl)pyridine and its ¹H NMR spectrum are shown in FIG. 81. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.34-7.41 (m, 2H), 7.71-7.83 (m, 2H), 8.15 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 8.63-8.67 (m, 1H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 124.0, 124.2, 128.2, 130.4, 130.6, 137.2, 150.6, 150.8, 151.2. FT-IR (neat, cm-1) u 1524, 1362, 821, 793, 752, 721, 706 Anal calcd for C₁₂H₇N₃O₂ (245.19 g/mol): C, 53.88; H, 2.88; N, 17.14; Found. C, 53.86; H, 2.71; N, 16.87.

Control Arylation Reaction (CuI Omitted)

Using 4-iodotoluene as the coupling partner:

1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), 4-iodotoluene (218 mg, 1.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (0.6 mL) at 125° C., 12 h. No product was detected.—Using 2-iodopyridine as the coupling partner: 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), 2-iodopyridine (205 mg, 1.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (0.6 mL) at 125° C., 12 h. A trace of arylated product was detected.

Reaction of Benzothiophene and Iodoarenes in the Presence of t-BuOD:

Using Iodobenzene:

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), iodobenzene (408 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzothiophene (134 mg, 1.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), t-BuOD (150 mg, 2.0 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.5 mL), 125° C. The reaction was stopped after 1 hour (15% conversion by GC). The unreacted starting material was recovered by column chromatography (hexanes). NMR integration showed 20% D incorporation in starting material at 2-position.

—Using 4-Iodotoluene:

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-iodotoluene (436 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.11 mmol), benzothiophene (134 mg, 1.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), t-BuOD (150 mg, 2.0 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.5 mL), 125° C. The reaction was stopped after 1 hour (13% conversion by GC). The unreacted starting material was recovered by column chromatography (hexanes). NMR integration showed 25% D incorporation in starting material at 2-position.

Using 4-Iodobenzotrifluoride:

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-iodobenzotrifluoride (544 mg, 2.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzothiophene (134 mg, 1.0 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), t-BuOD (150 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMPU (0.5 mL), 125° C. The reaction was stopped after 1 hour (34% conversion by GC). The unreacted starting material was recovered by column chromatography (hexanes). NMR integration showed 26% of D incorporation in starting material at 2-position. ¹⁹F NMR study of the reaction intermediate:

Copper(I) iodide (190 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (180 mg, 1.0 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (252 mg, 1.5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (3.0 mL) at 125° C. The reaction mixture was analyzed by ⁹F NMR at different reaction times. At t=0, only C6F5H was observed by ¹⁹F NMR. At t=1 h, only pentafluorophenylcopper phenanthroline complex was present in the reaction mixture.

TABLE S1 ¹⁹F NMR Spectrum of the Reaction Mixture and C₆F₅Cu(Phen) Complex Reaction mixture at t = 0 Reaction mixture at t = 1 h C₆F₅Cu(Phen) o-F −142.2 (d, JF-F = 10 Hz, 2F) −113.5-−113.0 (m, 2F) −112.9-−112.4 (m, 2F) m-F −166.3-−166.0 (m, 2F) −166.4-−166.0 (m, 2F) −166.2-−165.9 (m, 2F) p-F −158.5 (t, JF = 20 Hz, 1F) −165.2 (t, JF = 20 Hz, 1F) −165.2 (t, JF = 20 Hz, 1F)

H/D Exchange Reactions:

With Copper(I) Catalyst:

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), benzothiophene (134 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 μmol), t-BuOD (375 mg, 5 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMPU (0.7 mL) at 125° C. for 1 h. Benzothiophene was recovered by column chromatography (hexanes). NMR integration of the C-2 proton (δ 7.45 ppm) showed 30% D incorporation.

Without Copper(I) Catalyst:

Benzothiophene (134 mg, 1.0 mmol), t-BuOD (375 mg, 5 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMPU (0.7 mL) at 125° C. for 1 h. Benzothiophene was recovered by column chromatography (hexanes). NMR integration of the C-2 proton (δ 7.45 ppm) showed 30% D incorporation.

Using t-BuOCu:

t-BuOCu (68.5 mg, 0.5 mmol), benzothiophene (67 mg, 0.5 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (90 mg, 0.5 mmol), t-BuOD (187.5 mg, 2.5 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.4 mL) at 125° C. for 1 h. Benzothiophene was recovered by column chromatography (hexanes). NMR integration of the C-2 proton (δ 7.45 ppm) showed 60% D incorporation.

Using LiI:

LiI (134 mg, 1.0 mmol), benzothiophene (134 mg, 1.0 mmol), t-BuOD (375 mg, 5 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.7 mL) at 125° C. for 1 h. Benzothiophene was recovered by column chromatography (hexanes). Deuterium incorporation in starting material was not detected.

With Copper(I) Catalyst:

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), pyridazine (80 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), t-BuOD (375 mg, 5 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.7 mL) at 125° C. for 1 h. After column chromatography (5% MeOH in ethyl acetate) a mixture of pyridazine and DMPU was recovered. NMR integration showed 30% D incorporation in starting material.

Without Copper(I) Catalyst:

Pyridazine (80 mg, 1.0 mmol), t-BuOD (375 mg, 5 mmol), t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol), and anhydrous DMPU (0.7 mL) at 125° C. for 1 h. After column chromatography (5% MeOH in ethyl acetate) a mixture of pyridazine and DMPU was recovered. NMR integration showed 30% D incorporation in starting material.

With Copper(I) Catalyst:

Copper(I) iodide (9.6 mg, 0.05 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (9 mg, 0.05 mmol), 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl (120 mg, 0.5 mmol), t-BuOD (375 mg, 5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (212 mg, 1.0 mmol), and DMF (0.4 mL) at 130° C. for 24 h. The unreacted starting material was recovered by column chromatography (hexanes). NMR integration showed 65% of D incorporation in starting material.

Without Copper(I) Catalyst:

2,3,5,6-Tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl (120 mg, 0.5 mmol), t-BuOD (375 mg, 5 mmol), K₃PO₄ (212 mg, 1.0 mmol), and DMF (0.4 mL) at 130° C. for 24 h. The unreacted starting material was recovered by column chromatography (hexanes). NMR integration showed 62% of D incorporation in starting material.

Competition reaction of pentafluorobenzene and 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-iodotoluene (218 mg, 1.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (1176 mg, 7.0 mmol), 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene (1050 mg, 7.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (488 mg, 2.3 mmol), and DMF (0.8 mL) at 125° C., 15 h. The molar ratio of arylation products 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl/2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl was determined to be 3.0 by GC analysis of crude reaction mixture.

Competition reaction of 4-iodotoluene and 4-iodobenzotrifluoride:

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-iodotoluene (1526 mg, 7.0 mmol), 4-iodobenzotrifluoride (1904 mg, 7.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (168 mg, 1.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL) at 125° C., 1 h. The molar ratio of arylation products 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-(trifluoromethyl)-biphenyl/2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl was determined to be 4.0 by GC analysis of crude reaction mixture.

Competition Reaction of 4-Bromotoluene and 4-bromobenzotrifluoride:

Copper(I) iodide (19 mg, 0.1 mmol), 4-iodotoluene (1526 mg, 7.0 mmol), 4-iodobenzotrifluoride (1904 mg, 7.0 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (18 mg, 0.1 mmol), pentafluorobenzene (168 mg, 1.0 mmol), K₃PO₄ (424 mg, 2.0 mmol), and DMF (1.0 mL) at 125° C., 1 h. The molar ratio of arylation products 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-(trifluoromethyl)-biphenyl/2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-4′-methylbiphenyl was determined to be 4.0 by GC analysis of crude reaction mixture.

X-Ray Data for 4-Methoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenylcopper-phenanthroline Complex 2

All measurements were made with a Siemens SMART platform diffractometer equipped with a 4K CCD APEX II detector. A hemisphere of data (1271 frames at 6 cm detector distance) was collected using a narrow-frame algorithm with scan widths of 0.30\% in omega and an exposure time of 30 s/frame. The data were integrated using the Bruker-Nonius SAINT program, with the intensities corrected for Lorentz factor, polarization, air absorption, and absorption due to variation in the path length through the detector faceplate. A psi scan absorption correction was applied based on the entire data set. Redundant reflections were averaged. Final cell constants were refined using 3841 reflections having I>10\s(I), and these, along with other information pertinent to data collection and refinement, are listed in Table IV. The Laue symmetry was determined to be 2/m, and from the systematic absences noted the space group was shown unambiguously to be P2(1)/n. The asymmetric unit consists of one-half dimer situated about an inversion center.

TABLE S2 Crystal Data and Structure Refinement for 4-Methoxy-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenylcopper-phenanthroline Complex 2 Empirical formula C₃₈H₂₂Cu₂F₈N₄O₂ Formula weight 845.68 Temperature 223(2) K Wavelength 0.71073 A Crystal system, space group Monoclinic, P2(1)/n Unit cell dimensions a = 9.3839(6) A alpha = 90 deg. b = 17.3423(11) A beta = 93.516(1) deg. c = 10.0786(6) A gamma = 90 deg. Volume 1637.09(18) A³ Z, Calculated density 2, 1.716 Mg/m³ Absorption coefficient 1.389 mm⁻¹ F(000) 848 Crystal color and shape Bright red column Crystal size 0.45 × 0.15 × 0.15 mm Theta range for data collection 2.34 to 25.09 deg. Limiting indices −11 <= h <= 11, 0 <= k <= 20, 0 <= 1 <= 11 Reflections collected/unique 8401/3001 [R(int) = 0.0434] Completeness to theta = 25.09 99.5% Absorption correction Empirical Max. and min. transmission 0.9856 and 0.6505 Refinement method Full-matrix least-squares on F² Data/restraints/parameters 2082/0/245 Goodness-of-fit on F² 0.996 Final R indices [I > 4sigma(I)] R1 = 0.0282, wR2 = 0.0760 R indices (all data) R1 = 0.0400, wR2 = 0.0834 Largest diff. peak and hole 0.513 and −0.207 e.A⁻³

Procedure for Aerobic Copper-Catalyzed Dimerization of 2,3,5,6-Tetrafluoroanisole

The present invention also provides a method for a one-step dimerization of heterocycles or electron-poor arenes, where the method includes contacting a substrate selected from the group consisting of electron-rich heterocyclic substrates, electron-poor heterocyclic substrates, electron-poor aromatic substrates, and mixtures or combinations thereof in the presence of a copper catalyst and stoichiometric oxygen or air reoxidant. The reaction can also include ligands to modify catalyst activity, where the ligands are generally of the same type used in the other reactions disclosed herein.

Outside the glovebox a 1-dram vial equipped with a magnetic stir bar was charged with 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroanisole (180 mg, 1.0 mmol), copper(II) chloride (6.8 mg, 0.05 mmol) and commercial, non-anhydrous DMF (0.5 mL). The vial was flushed with argon, capped by an open screw cap with silicone septa and placed inside a glovebox. To this mixture was added t-BuOLi (160 mg, 2.0 mmol). The sealed vial was taken out of the glovebox and connect to dry oxygen source through a needle and then placed in a preheated oil bath (50° C.) for the 1 hour. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature subjected to flash chromatography on silica gel. After column chromatography (10% AcoEt in hexanes) 115 mg (64%) of a colorless solid was obtained. R_(f)=0.51 (SiO₂, hexanes). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.15 (s, 6H). ¹⁹F NMR (282 MHz, CDCl₃) δ−155.8 (d, J_(F)=18.7 Hz, 4F), −138.1 (d, J_(F)=18.7 Hz, 4F).

REFERENCES CITED IN THE INVENTION

The following references were cited in the Detailed Description Section of the Application.

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All references cited herein are incorporated by reference. Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to its embodiments, from reading this description those of skill in the art may appreciate changes and modification that may be made which do not depart from the scope and spirit of the invention as described above and claimed hereafter. 

1. A method for the direct conversion of C—H bonds to carbon-carbon bonds comprising the step of contacting a substrate and an aryl halide in the presence of a catalyst including a copper(I) salt, where the substrate is selected from the group consisting of electron-rich heterocyclic substrates, electron-poor heterocyclic substrates, electron-poor arene substrates, and mixtures or combinations thereof.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst further includes a ligand.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the ligand comprises a nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen ligand or mixtures or combinations thereof.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the ligand is selected from the group consisting of dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, bipyridine, phenanthroline, and mixtures or combinations thereof.
 5. A method for the direct conversion of C—H bonds to carbon-carbon bonds comprising the step of contacting a substrate and an aryl halide in the presence of a catalyst including a copper(I) salt, where the substrate comprises an electron-rich heterocyclic substrate or a plurality of electron-rich heterocyclic substrates.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the catalyst further includes a ligand.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the ligand comprises a nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen ligand or mixtures or combinations thereof.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the ligand is selected from the group consisting of dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, bipyridine, phenanthroline, and mixtures or combinations thereof.
 9. A method for the direct conversion of C—H bonds to carbon-carbon bonds comprising the step of contacting a substrate and an aryl halide in the presence of a catalyst including a copper(I) salt, where the substrate comprises an electron-poor heterocyclic substrate or a plurality of electron-poor heterocyclic substrates.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the catalyst further includes a ligand.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the ligand comprises a nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen ligand or mixtures or combinations thereof.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the ligand is selected from the group consisting of dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, bipyridine, phenanthroline, and mixtures or combinations thereof.
 13. A method for the direct conversion of C—H bonds to carbon-carbon bonds comprising the step of contacting a substrate and an aryl halide in the presence of a catalyst including a copper(I) salt, where the substrate comprises a electron-poor arene substrate or a plurality of electron-poor arene substrates.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the catalyst further includes a ligand.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the ligand comprises a nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen ligand or mixtures or combinations thereof.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the ligand is selected from the group consisting of dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, bipyridine, phenanthroline, and mixtures or combinations thereof.
 17. A method for a one-step dimerization of heterocycles or electron-poor arenes, comprising the step of contacting a substrate selected from the group consisting of electron-rich heterocyclic substrates, electron-poor heterocyclic substrates, electron-poor aromatic substrates, and mixtures or combinations thereof in the presence of a copper catalyst and stoichiometric oxygen or air reoxidant. 